Zoe Ayre, 36, shared a “respectful” parenting technique she discovered in the book “The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read” by Philippa Perry.
The mom of one read the book while pregnant, which made her re-evaluate the “traditional” upbringing she had initially wanted to give her child.
Mom from Yorkshire and her husband Andrew have a one-year-old Hattie now. The baby goes to sleep whenever she wants and never faces punishment.
Zoe shared with the media that Hattie sometimes goes to bed as late as 9:30 pm, but she is never an “overtired, upset child.”
The mom shared how it “helped me emotionally because I don’t have the added stress of expectations and fitting our lives into a set routine.”
The baby also doesn’t have to share, which makes her “feel good” when she does something for others.
Zoe claims that this does not sit well with some parents, as she shared, “I’ve had comments from people who think this approach would lead to her becoming a ‘spoilt brat’ or similar.”
However, the mother claims people do not understand, as she wants to create a child who can “stand up for herself, but in a polite manner.”
Hottie’s mom shared, “It’s hard as a parent not to feel defensive when someone questions your approach, but I try to focus on what feels right to me.”
Zoe also teaches her daughter how to say “no.” It includes refusing cuddles and affection from people, including family members, if she feels uncomfortable.
Talking to Daily Mirror, Zoe said she does not punish her child: “I also don’t enforce punishments in our household, as I think they miss the point of why they are behaving like that in the first place.”
However, the mother admits that she made some mistakes. She confessed, “There have been times when I’ve reacted in a way that I wish I hadn’t, for instance, shouting and telling her off. It’s those times when I’ve slipped up that I question myself and reaffirm my approach is what feels right for me.”
She also understands that not every style is ideal for every parent or child, claiming, “we only do what’s best for our children.”
The woman explained that “respectful” parenting is not like being a friend to your child since “there isn’t a lack of boundaries or teaching right from wrong.”
Ayre concluded: “The reality is that our children are learning – their brains aren’t fully developed, and they are still learning how to interact with the world around them.”
What do you think about this parenting style? Do you think that “respectful” parenting is onto something? Or do you prefer more “traditional” techniques?
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