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Genesis Terrazas

Jason Dew

ENGL 1302-283

09 April 2024

Gentle Parenting

The foundation of gentle parenting, frequently seen as an understanding and sympathetic

method of childrearing, creates a loving bond between parents and their children. This method

strongly emphasizes being sensitive to a child's feelings, promoting honest communication, and

refraining from harsh punishment in favor of positive discipline. According to proponents, gentle

parenting fosters a healthy parent-child bond, improves emotional intelligence, and gives the kid

a sense of security and trust. Positively, it is seen to reduce power clashes and promote

independence and self-discipline. The concept of gentle parenting presents a persuasive

alternative to typical authoritarian methods by emphasizing the emotional growth and well-being

of both parents and children within a holistic framework. Gentle parenting emphasizes the

development of stable relationships between caregivers and children, one of its primary

justifications. The foundation for resilient relationships and good emotional development is laid

by gentle parenting, which fosters trust and understanding via compassionate interactions.

Moreover, nurturing parenting fosters the development of emotional intelligence, allowing kids

to handle challenging emotions and social circumstances gracefully and confidently. In addition,

gentle parenting promotes a change in the family's culture from punishment to constructive

direction and communication, as well as mutual respect and collaboration. In the end, gentle
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parenting helps create a more sympathetic and compassionate society, benefiting specific

children by fostering their autonomy and sense of self-worth.

Gentle parenting primarily promotes positive conduct in kids by emphasizing

understanding and communication rather than harsh punishment, which builds a sense of security

and trust. This method aids in a child's development of emotional intelligence and improves their

ability to handle difficulties by recognizing and affirming their feelings. By focusing more on

polite instruction than harsh punishment, parents and children may develop a cooperative and

respectful relationship that will eventually pave the way for responsible and thoughtful conduct.

According to the article " The Effect of Parenting and the Parent-Child Relationship on a Child's

Cognitive Development: A Literature Review," the child's maturity and cognitive growth depend

on sensitive parenting and caregiving. It has been noted that the media has a critical role in

enhancing parenting techniques. Children raised by strict, violent, and invasive parents have both

internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

Gentle parenting is essential to assisting a child's academic performance by creating a

setting that emphasizes emotional health and enjoyable learning experiences. In the article

"Parental Burnout and Adolescents' Development: Family Environment, Academic Performance,

and Social Adaptation," adolescents who struggle academically may feel less supported by their

parents and find it difficult to ask for assistance, which might lower their grades. Interestingly,

teenage athletes' performance is also negatively impacted by parental exhaustion. Children may

freely share their ideas, worries, and inquiries when their parents practice gentle parenting, which

fosters open communication and sympathetic understanding. A child's mental health benefits

from this emotional comfort since it lowers stress and anxiety, two conditions that are known to

impede learning. Moreover, gentle parenting promotes a sincere interest in learning by

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emphasizing cooperation and intrinsic motivation instead of pressure. This method gives kids the

tools to succeed academically by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence.

It also promotes a love of learning beyond conventional classroom' walls. Ultimately, a child's

academic growth and entire educational journey are greatly aided by the emotionally stable and

intellectually challenging atmosphere of gentle parenting. Ultimately, a child's academic growth

and entire educational journey are greatly aided by the emotionally stable and intellectually

challenging atmosphere of gentle parenting.

Gentle parenting is constructive in helping a child become competent in many areas of

life. Emphasizing understanding, empathy, and constructive communication, this method fosters

a safe space where kids may explore and grow into their potential. Gentle parenting promotes

autonomy by letting kids make decisions rationally instead of enforcing strict rules. Empowering

children to actively participate in decision-making processes, assume responsibilities, and

overcome obstacles fosters a sense of competence. Healthy parenting is a long-term predictor of

healthy child socio-emotional functioning, which includes prosocial conduct and knowledge of

social interaction, as well as favorable academic, cognitive, and physical health outcomes

throughout a child's development (Chaplin, Mauro, and Niehaus). Furthermore, a child's

resiliency and sense of self-worth are fostered by gentle parenting, which emphasizes positive

reinforcement over harsh methods. Children are more likely to confidently tackle new activities

when they feel appreciated and encouraged, which helps them acquire vital life skills and a solid

basis for competence in various areas of their lives.

To successfully guide children's behavior, gentle parenting strongly emphasizes empathy,

respect, and constructive communication. This builds a connection of trust and support between

parents and their children. Gentle parenting fosters an atmosphere in which kids feel heard,
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respected, and safe by prioritizing understanding and connection. Children who feel emotionally

secure from their parents are more likely to cooperate and voluntarily follow their instructions

because they view discipline as a tool for learning and development rather than punishment. For

instance, toddlers and preschoolers are likelier to participate in committed obedience when

mothers softly and non-power assertively guide their conduct (Blandon and Volling). Active

listening, problem-solving, and establishing age-appropriate limits are gentle parenting strategies

that enable kids to grow into capable adults and make responsible decisions. Gentle parenting

also fosters intrinsic drive and a sense of autonomy in kids, which increases collaboration and

compliance since it removes the need for fear or pressure. Gentle parenting's caring and

encouraging methods foster cooperation and mutual respect, making kids more likely to be

cooperative and obedient in their relationships with their parents.

Harsh parenting erodes trust and damages the parent-child relationship by instilling fear

and resentment instead of fostering mutual respect and understanding. According to the article

"Relationships Matter: How Clinicians Can Support Positive Parenting in the Early Years,"

children learn to speak, think, and express emotion from an 'environment of relationships, and

the parent-child relationship is the one that most strongly affects emotional and behavioral

functioning. Harsh parenting often leads to heightened arousal and stress in children due to the

constant fear of punishment or criticism. Harsh parenting, for instance, might make kids

excessively reactive and unable to concentrate or change their focus when needed (Neppl).

Consequently, this heightened arousal can impair their ability to regulate emotions and behavior,

making them less compliant and more reactive in their interactions with their parents. In

conclusion, the detrimental effects of harsh parenting underscore the importance of nurturing
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positive, supportive relationships between parents and children, which are essential for healthy

emotional and behavioral development.

An indulgent parent can contribute to a healthy relationship with your child by fostering

an environment of warmth, acceptance, and open communication, which encourages trust and

emotional closeness. According to the article “Examining Parental Internal Processes Associated

with Indulgent Parenting: A Thematic Analysis,” a child's growth can benefit from indulgent

parenting if it allows them to explore their interests, express themselves, and grow into strong,

self-assured individuals. Warm parenting is seen to be one of the most protective variables for

adopted children's adjustment. A limited but increasing body of research in adoption studies

suggests that the quality of parent-child relationships in adoptive households may promote

healthy development (Anthony and Paine). In conclusion, embracing an indulgent parenting style

characterized by warmth and acceptance can cultivate a healthy parent-child relationship,

fostering an environment where children feel empowered to explore their interests and develop

into confident individuals. Research indicates that the quality of parent-child relationships,

particularly warm parenting, is crucial in promoting children's overall well-being and adjustment,

highlighting the significance of nurturing connections within the family dynamic.

Gentle parenting, characterized by its emphasis on understanding, empathy, and

constructive communication, fosters a secure and supportive environment where children can

thrive and develop to their fullest potential. By prioritizing connection over coercion, gentle

parenting builds trust and cooperation between parents and children, allowing for open dialogue

and mutual respect. This nurturing approach promotes emotional intelligence and resilience in

children and strengthens the parent-child bond, creating a relationship based on empathy and

understanding rather than fear and resentment. In contrast, harsh parenting strategies erode trust
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and damage this bond, leading to heightened stress and diminished compliance in children who

feel constantly threatened or criticized. As evidenced by research, the positive effects of gentle

parenting extend beyond childhood, laying the groundwork for healthy emotional development

and resilient relationships that benefit parents and children throughout their lives. Therefore,

embracing gentle parenting principles can profoundly shape families' wellbeing and happiness,

fostering an environment where love, compassion, and understanding flourish..

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Works Cited

Anthony, Rebecca E, et al. “Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children Adopted from Care:
The Importance of Adoptive Parental Warmth for Future Child Adjustment.” International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
22 June 2019,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6617038/#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20warm%2
0parenting%20is%20considered,families%20may%20nurture%20healthy%20development
.

Blandon, Alysia Y, and Brenda L Volling. “Parental Gentle Guidance and Children’s
Compliance within the Family: A Replication Study.” Journal of Family Psychology :
JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological
Association (Division 43), U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2008,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486495/.

Chaplin, Tara M, et al. “Effects of Parenting Environment on Child and Adolescent Social-
Emotional Brain Function.” Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, 2022,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10016201/#:~:text=Positive%20parenting%20lo
ngitudinally%20predicts%20positive,and%20Fowler%202002%3B%20Beckwith%20et.

Lanjekar, Purva D, et al. “The Effect of Parenting and the Parent-Child Relationship on a Child’s
Cognitive Development: A Literature Review.” Cureus, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 22 Oct. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9678477/.

Neppl, Tricia K, et al. “Positive Parenting, Effortful Control, and Developmental Outcomes
across Early Childhood.” Developmental Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7041851/.

Wang, Wei, et al. “Parental Burnout and Adolescents’ Development: Family Environment,
Academic Performance, and Social Adaptation.” International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 Feb. 2023,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9957149/.

Williams, Robin C, et al. “Relationships matter: How clinicians can support positive parenting in
the early years.” Paediatrics & Child Health, vol. 24, no. 5, 25 July 2019, pp. 340–
347, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxz063.

Wolford, Sarah N, et al. “Examining Parental Internal Processes Associated with Indulgent
Parenting: A Thematic Analysis.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7731216/.