Last Updated:July 04, 2025, 18:17 IST
Parents, today, are no longer relying on punishment or reward systems. They are going with an approach that prioritises respect, empathy, and clear, consistent boundaries.
Children raised with gentle parenting show stronger emotional awareness.
Parenting styles have long reflected the values of their time, from the strict discipline of earlier generations to the more achievement-focused approaches of recent decades. But today, many parents are rewriting the rulebook entirely, seeking to raise emotionally aware, resilient, and compassionate children through what’s known as gentle parenting.
The gentle parenting approach doesn’t rely on punishment or reward systems. Instead, it prioritises respect, empathy, and clear, consistent boundaries. At its heart, gentle parenting treats children as individuals worthy of understanding, not just obedience. And in a world that increasingly values emotional intelligence and mental health, it’s gaining traction for good reason.
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Kavita Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson of VIBGYOR Group of Schools, weighs in on the realities of gentle parenting: what’s resonating with today’s children and where it’s falling short for parents.
What’s Working With Gentle Parenting
1. Stronger Emotional Awareness
Children raised with gentle parenting often demonstrate an improved ability to name, understand, and manage their feelings. Rather than being told to suppress emotion, they are encouraged to explore their emotional responses and understand what’s going on internally.
2. Trust-Based Relationships
By focusing on listening rather than reacting, gentle parenting nurtures secure attachments. Kerawalla says, “When children know they’ll be heard, they’re more likely to confide, collaborate, and respond respectfully. Trust becomes a two-way street, creating a home environment that is safe, predictable, and emotionally nurturing.”
3. Long-Term Behaviour Change
Instead of time-outs or consequences meant to control behaviour at the moment, gentle parenting looks for the root cause. What triggered the tantrum? What’s behind the defiance? By focusing on the ‘why’ rather than just the ‘what’, parents are able to address underlying issues, fostering behavioural change through understanding, not fear.
Where Gentle Parenting Falls Short
1. Boundaries Can Become Blurry
Kerawalla notes, “A common misunderstanding is that being gentle with children means never saying no; however, boundaries are still an essential part of the process. But when parents avoid setting limits in the name of being kind, it can leave children feeling uncertain. Kids still need structure – boundaries that are firm, but delivered with warmth.”
2. It Can Be Emotionally Exhausting
Keeping your cool when emotions are running high is something most parents struggle with. Especially when juggling work, relationships, and day-to-day stress, parents may find it overwhelming to always remain composed. Gentle parenting doesn’t mean suppressing your own emotions – it means modelling healthy responses, even when things go off track.
3. Resistance From the Older Generation
Kerawalla notes, “Many parents trying out this approach face criticism from family members who were raised with different values. Comments like ‘you’re too soft’ or ‘they’ll never learn’ are common, especially in cultures where discipline is still linked to authority.” Navigating this gap requires confidence and a supportive circle of like-minded caregivers.
Kerawalla adds, “Gentle parenting recognises that mistakes will happen – what matters is how we reconnect and move forward. It’s about consistently showing up with intention, even when things are messy.” She says, “It asks parents to pause before reacting, to listen before lecturing, and to treat each challenge as an opportunity for growth, not control. But perhaps its greatest strength is that it humanises the parenting experience itself.”
As this philosophy continues to gain ground, it’s not surprising to see more families leaning into it, not because it’s easier, but because it feels more aligned with the kind of world they want their children to grow up in.
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Location :Delhi, India, India
First Published:News lifestyle Gentle Parenting Explained: What Works, What Doesn’t, And Why It’s Getting Popular