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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Gentle Parenting has failed, lets accept this.

890 replies

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:07

I read everyday about children's behaviour, even primary school age where they are out of control, don't fear or respect adults and this is all down to that loverly middle class BS known as 'Gentle Parenting'.

Let's just call this out for what it is, because it does not work. I have a friend who's 8 year old son does what he likes, is disrespectful, hits his mum and no amount of 'punishment' such as removal of electronic devices etc makes a blind bit of difference, he just does not care.

So how do we discipline children like this? is it really bad to give them a measured smack on the back of the legs/bum? Obviously there is a difference between a smack to correct a child and beating the hell out of them which is child abuse and should be prosecuted, and in England smacking is still legal.......

In years gone by their have always been kids that will go too far, and by this I mean the James Bulger killers who I think no amount of discipline would have changed their outcome in life, but for the majority of kids I feel we are failing them with this soft approach where there think they can do anything without repercussions.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:20

YeGodsandLittleFishies · 06/03/2025 11:17

My children are very well behaved.

I was pretty strict with them when they were little but I have never raised a hand to them and rarely even raised my voice.

It is entirely possible to provide good discipline without hurting/scaring your children.

but could this be down to the nature/personality of your children, in the same way some babies don't sleep and scream all night and some sleep straight through for 7 hours......you could be one of those smug parents that has had it easy.

Try having a child who is so stubborn they would rather spite themselves than do what they are told no matter what the potential punishment.

OP posts:
NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 06/03/2025 11:19

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:16

but is it assault? in that case I guess 80% of Gen X's were victims of assault and are traumatised......as a Gen X I can say I definitely am not.

Hitting someone smaller and weaker than you, who is totally reliant on you and can't escape anywhere simply because you're angry with them is absolutely assault, what makes you think it isn't?

Helloyouok · 06/03/2025 11:18

It doesn't have to be a choice between gentle parenting or smacking. I disagree with both. Why does everything have to be labelled, gentle parenting, permissive parenting, blah blah blah.

Just set some common sense rules and stick to your guns ffs, without the need for smacking!

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:18

28andgreat · 06/03/2025 11:11

I was smacked on the back of the legs as a child (never very hard, but enough for a bit of a sting) and I can say it hasn't traumatised me and i have great relationships with my parents now.

However, i don't think i could ever actually smack my 2 year old DD. I'm not 100% against it, but i don't actually think i could bring myself to do it.

wait until they are 5-8 and your mind will change!

OP posts:
YeGodsandLittleFishies · 06/03/2025 11:17

My children are very well behaved.

I was pretty strict with them when they were little but I have never raised a hand to them and rarely even raised my voice.

It is entirely possible to provide good discipline without hurting/scaring your children.

POSTC123 · 06/03/2025 11:17

There's a big leap between gentle parenting and smacking though?!

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:17

TheOneWithTheWedding · 06/03/2025 11:12

Hitting a child is always wrong. There is not excuse. It’s abusive

In your opinion, I can say as a Gen X I had the occasional smack to keep me in line from my parents and it didn't affect me.

OP posts:
Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:16

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 06/03/2025 11:12

Yes it is bad to assault your child because you don't know any other way to parent.

but is it assault? in that case I guess 80% of Gen X's were victims of assault and are traumatised......as a Gen X I can say I definitely am not.

OP posts:
hattie43 · 06/03/2025 11:15

I think a child just needs to be raised properly to respect themselves , others , their environment and social order . You don't need anything other than time , nurturing and effort . Too many kids these days have no parental involvement and are left to drag themselves up .

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:14

FumingTRex · 06/03/2025 11:10

But you said yourself your friend ‘s child is out of control in spite of punishments etc. That isnt gentle parenting. Are you just saying you think children need physical discipline, and anything less you consider gentle parenting?

What I said was that despite the gentle parenting punishments she has tried it has made no difference, so what else does she try? she had read books on the subject and nothing works.

OP posts:
NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 06/03/2025 11:12

Yes it is bad to assault your child because you don't know any other way to parent.

TheOneWithTheWedding · 06/03/2025 11:12

Zod666 · 06/03/2025 11:07

I read everyday about children's behaviour, even primary school age where they are out of control, don't fear or respect adults and this is all down to that loverly middle class BS known as 'Gentle Parenting'.

Let's just call this out for what it is, because it does not work. I have a friend who's 8 year old son does what he likes, is disrespectful, hits his mum and no amount of 'punishment' such as removal of electronic devices etc makes a blind bit of difference, he just does not care.

So how do we discipline children like this? is it really bad to give them a measured smack on the back of the legs/bum? Obviously there is a difference between a smack to correct a child and beating the hell out of them which is child abuse and should be prosecuted, and in England smacking is still legal.......

In years gone by their have always been kids that will go too far, and by this I mean the James Bulger killers who I think no amount of discipline would have changed their outcome in life, but for the majority of kids I feel we are failing them with this soft approach where there think they can do anything without repercussions.

AIBU?

Hitting a child is always wrong. There is not excuse. It’s abusive

Gardendiary · 06/03/2025 11:12

Im looking forward to the day when England finally bans smacking and we can hopefully stop having these ridiculous conversations about it being okay when all evidence shows it isn’t.

28andgreat · 06/03/2025 11:11

I was smacked on the back of the legs as a child (never very hard, but enough for a bit of a sting) and I can say it hasn't traumatised me and i have great relationships with my parents now.

However, i don't think i could ever actually smack my 2 year old DD. I'm not 100% against it, but i don't actually think i could bring myself to do it.

FumingTRex · 06/03/2025 11:10

But you said yourself your friend ‘s child is out of control in spite of punishments etc. That isnt gentle parenting. Are you just saying you think children need physical discipline, and anything less you consider gentle parenting?

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