When it comes to parenting styles, there are numerous methodologies, each with its own advocates and proponents. Some parents believe in being strict, while others are more relaxed and focus on being gentle and understanding. Our reader Emma belongs to the second category. She wrote to Bright Side not only to share her unique parenting style but also to seek advice from other parents, as she has often encountered criticism regarding her methods of upbringing.

Emma decided to be a cycle breaker in her family.

Emma, 38 years old, reached out to us with a heartfelt letter, “Hello, Bright Side, I’ve always admired your platform as a reliable source where people freely express their opinions on various topics. In the past, I’ve often engaged with others’ posts on your page, offering advice and sharing my perspectives on the stories shared. Now I’m seeking opinions from your audience in the situation with my son.”

The woman started her story, saying, “My son, Georgie, is 8 years old. All my life, I knew that I wanted to have children. When I found out I was pregnant, I decided to break the cycle in my family by adopting a less adversarial style of parenting.”

Her parents’ strict upbringing affected her mental well-being.

The woman explains that such a decision stems from bitter personal experience, “Growing up under the strict rule of my parents, I’ve come to understand the consequences of such an authoritarian upbringing. It wasn’t just tough for me, it affected everyone in our household. The constant pressure led to anxiety, and my self-esteem suffered. My relationships with parents were strained.”

“It took me years to realize the toll this environment had on my mental well-being. But as I grew older, I made a conscious effort to confront these challenges. It’s important to find a balance between discipline and understanding in raising children.

That is why I want to create a nurturing environment for my son, one that prioritizes love, respect, and open communication. So he doesn’t have to go through the same hardships as I did. But my husband does not agree with this approach in raising a child. He believes that Georgie should understand social norms and the consequences of his actions.”

Her son doesn’t give false apologies.