Why I Hold Onto Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s Wisdom: A Poetic Tribute In a world where childhood often feels overshadowed by peer pressure and social calendars packed with endless play dates, it can be challenging to share a different perspective on what children truly need to thrive. For over two decades, Dr. Gordon Neufeld has beenContinue reading “Hold Onto Your Kids: An Ode to Dr. Gordon Neufeld”
Category Archives: Connection
Breaking the “Don’t Care” Habit: Our Journey to Raising Caring Kids
My young children were so caring-worried about whether we might accidentally tread on a passing ant, always showing concern to each other or animals in particular. But almost overnight, it seemed, they became 6- and 8-year-olds with a new favourite phrase: “I don’t care!” The empathy I cherished seemed to vanish, replaced by indifference andContinue reading “Breaking the “Don’t Care” Habit: Our Journey to Raising Caring Kids”
Why Our Kids’ Freedom Means More Stress for Us
Have you ever felt torn between wanting your child to be independent and worrying about what might happen if you let go? You’re not alone. Autonomy is defined as “the ability to make your own decisions without being controlled by anyone else”. Thinking of our kids, the more control we give our children, the less stress they experience. As children gain autonomy, parents naturallyContinue reading “Why Our Kids’ Freedom Means More Stress for Us”
The Messy Journey To Maturation
This blog post will look at the long and messy journey to being a mature individual. It looks at what an immature person looks like. It discusses the essential path to maturity: expression of all feelings. It includes my own messy journey of how I was to finally arrive at maturation.
Selective Mutism vs Shyness
I have 3 children aged 8 years and 6.5 year old twins. Shyness at the level they display it seems quite unusual. I got alarmed when other parents, on first meeting at a group, would say ‘My Child is Shy Too!’, but then their kid would be swiftly be running off and chatting within theContinue reading “Selective Mutism vs Shyness”
Too Clingy, Only Wants to be With One Parent
My youngest daughter literally only wants to be with me, Mummy, 80% of the time. The rest of the time she is comfortable with her siblings only. She appears to be totally petrified of her Daddy. She has to cling onto my trousers, nearly pulling them down in public, just to be near to me.Continue reading “Too Clingy, Only Wants to be With One Parent”
Why We Should Aim to Ask Permission and Respect Body Autonomy
This blog post looks at what exactly asking permission and respecting another person’s choice about their body means. It explains why it is important. Finally, it responds to common doubts people may have that disagree with this approach. What Does Asking Permission Mean? Simply put, that all physical affection initiated by the adult is askedContinue reading “Why We Should Aim to Ask Permission and Respect Body Autonomy”
Dad’s Blog: Knowing When to Step Up in My Parenting Role… And When to Step Back
There are some challenges we can face as a working Dad with a stay at home gentle parenting wife. Most of the days we’re out at work. Our wives can need our support more than our ancestors who lived with bigger support networks (see my wife’s previous post about a lacking support village). It takesContinue reading “Dad’s Blog: Knowing When to Step Up in My Parenting Role… And When to Step Back”
Explaining Life of Restricted Socialising to a 3 Year Old: COVID-19 Case Study
I hear so many parents struggling with how to help their toddlers understand why they are self isolating at the moment. Many families may have avoided communicating the worldwide pandemic much at all, in fear of instilling their children with fears of germs or other people. They believe their children are too little and shouldContinue reading “Explaining Life of Restricted Socialising to a 3 Year Old: COVID-19 Case Study”
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word – So Let’s Avoid ‘Sorry’ Altogether and Apologise Instead
How can we apologise effectively? What are the features of a good apology? How can failing to apologise affect our relationships, including with our children? These are all important questions that this blog answers. Sorry is most definitely the hardest word to get right, and that song by Elton John “sorry seems to be theContinue reading “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word – So Let’s Avoid ‘Sorry’ Altogether and Apologise Instead”
Gentle Parent 