Gentle parenting is a strategy that has taken the TikTok and new parent communities by storm. Many parents have been adopting this style because it focuses on their child’s motivations behind their actions, rather than their actions themselves. However, one mother named Nancy Houston is taking the parenting style to its absolute fullest potential by letting her own child put her in time-out.
Where’s her “Mom of the Year” award?
“I always resented the way that my mom yelled at me as a kid. It seemed like everything that went wrong was always my fault, and I never want my own child to feel that way,” Nancy told reporters. “That’s why, when I’m not being the best mommy I can be, I give her the full authority to put me in time-out for however long she wants. Once, I was there for two whole days! I love seeing her enact her own agency.”
Aww! So sweet!
While this parenting strategy seems to be working well for Nancy, renowned authors and instructors on gentle parenting skills seem to believe she’s taking the approach a bit too far.
“Gentle parenting is more about reframing parental discipline as a way to work collaboratively with your child,” author of How to Parent Gently, Joanne Bernstein, said. “Instead of saying ‘Don’t do that!’ you’re supposed to say ‘Hey, what if we do this other thing instead?’ You’re not supposed to give your child the authority and power to become your parent in the situation. That just sounds like objectively bad parenting.”
However, Nancy is confident that her parenting method is doing wonders for her relationship with her four-year-old daughter Sam.
“I don’t want her to develop a hatred for authority because of my discipline of her,” she told reporters. “That’s why, if I take away her toys or yell at her to not touch the hot stove, I believe she should be able to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do either, or face the consequences. It’s a lot more fair that way.”
So true! Maybe Nancy should write a parenting book someday!
According to Nancy, it doesn’t just stop at time-outs — Sam can also take away Nancy’s car keys, her computer, and her iPhone if she deems Nancy’s behavior unacceptable, which Nancy believes is the healthiest way to foster understanding and empathy for both her and her child.
“I’d love to talk more about the other ways I’ve managed to implement gentle parenting in Sam’s upbringing,” Nancy continued, looking over her shoulder. “But Sam said that I have to make her dinner soon, which is ice cream, again. She likes for me to make it from scratch, so I have to start early. Whatever makes her happy!”
What a great mom!
