Yes, Big Little Feelings is a form of gentle parenting that focuses on understanding and empathizing with children’s emotions to help them develop healthy coping mechanisms.
As a new mom, I was constantly bombarded with advice on how to raise my child. From books to online forums, everyone had an opinion on the best way to parent.
It was overwhelming and confusing. But then I stumbled upon a parenting philosophy that resonated with me: gentle parenting.
Gentle parenting is all about treating children with respect, empathy, and kindness while setting boundaries and limits in a loving way. It’s about understanding that our little ones are human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and needs.
But as I delved deeper into the world of gentle parenting, I came across another term that seemed to be used interchangeably: Big Little Feelings.
What is Big Little Feelings? Is it just another name for gentle parenting? Or is it something different altogether?
Join me as we explore the world of Big Little Feelings and find out if it truly aligns with the principles of gentle parenting.
Understanding Big Little Feelings
To understand if Big Little Feelings is a form of gentle parenting, we first need to understand what it means. Big Little Feelings is a term coined by two moms who run an Instagram account and website dedicated to helping parents navigate the ups and downs of raising young children.
They offer resources, courses, and coaching sessions on topics such as tantrums, sleep issues, potty training, and more.
At its core, Big Little Feelings focuses on understanding children’s emotions and responding in a way that validates their feelings while also setting boundaries. The approach emphasizes the importance of empathy towards our little ones’ big emotions while teaching them how to regulate those feelings in healthy ways.
But does this philosophy align with gentle parenting? While there are similarities between the two approaches – both emphasize treating children with respect and kindness – there are some key differences as well.
Gentle parenting places more emphasis on building strong relationships with our kids through connection-based discipline techniques like positive reinforcement rather than punishment or consequences for misbehavior. In contrast,Big Little Feeling focuses primarily on emotional regulation skills development for both parent/caregiver & child which can be seen as complementary but not necessarily interchangeable concepts when compared against Gentle Parenting principles.
So let’s dive deeper into these differences between gentle parenting vs big little feeling philosophies so you can decide which one resonates best with your family values!
The Principles of Gentle Parenting
At its core, gentle parenting is about building a strong and positive relationship with your child. It’s about understanding that children are not mini-adults but rather individuals who need guidance and support as they navigate the world around them.
Gentle parenting emphasizes communication, empathy, and respect for a child’s feelings. It encourages parents to listen to their children without judgment or criticism while also setting clear boundaries that are age-appropriate.
As I delved deeper into the world of gentle parenting, I found myself drawn to Big Little Feelings – an approach that seemed to align with these principles. But what exactly is Big Little Feelings? Is it just another name for gentle parenting? Or does it have its own unique philosophy?
To answer these questions, let’s take a closer look at what makes up the principles of gentle parenting and how they relate to Big Little Feelings.
How Big Little Feelings Aligns With Gentle Parenting
As I delved deeper into the world of Big Little Feelings, I realized that it is indeed a form of gentle parenting. The founders of Big Little Feelings, Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant, are both certified in positive discipline and have backgrounds in child development.
Big Little Feelings focuses on understanding children’s emotions and helping them navigate through them with empathy and respect. This aligns perfectly with the principles of gentle parenting which emphasizes treating children as individuals who deserve to be heard, understood, respected while setting boundaries lovingly.
One aspect that sets Big Little Feelings apart from other forms of gentle parenting is their focus on language. They believe that using specific phrases can help parents connect better with their children while also teaching valuable life skills such as emotional regulation.
It seems like Big Little feelings is a natural extension to Gentle Parenting philosophy – one that provides practical tools for parents to raise emotionally intelligent kids without resorting to punishment or shame-based tactics.
Benefits of Using Big Little Feelings in Your Parenting Style
As I delved deeper into the world of Big Little Feelings, I discovered that it is a parenting approach that focuses on helping children understand and manage their emotions. It’s about teaching them how to express themselves in a healthy way while also respecting others’ feelings.
One of the benefits of using Big Little Feelings in your parenting style is that it helps create an environment where open communication and empathy are encouraged. By acknowledging our children’s emotions, we can help them feel heard and understood, which strengthens our bond with them.
Another benefit is that it teaches children valuable life skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, and self-regulation. When we model these skills for our little ones by validating their feelings without judgment or criticism, they learn how to handle difficult situations with grace and maturity.
In addition to these benefits for our kids’ emotional development, using Big Little Feelings can also have positive effects on us as parents. It encourages us to slow down and be present with our children instead of rushing through daily tasks or getting caught up in distractions like social media or work emails.
Incorporating elements of Big Little Feelings into your parenting style can lead to more meaningful connections between you and your child while promoting healthy emotional growth for both parties involved.
Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding the Approach
While Big Little Feelings has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, it’s not without its fair share of criticisms and controversies. Some critics argue that the approach is too permissive and doesn’t provide enough structure for children.
Others claim that it can lead to entitled behavior and an inability to handle disappointment or failure.
However, proponents of Big Little Feelings argue that these criticisms are based on misunderstandings about the approach. They emphasize that setting boundaries and limits is still an important part of gentle parenting, but it’s done in a way that respects the child’s feelings and needs.
As I continued my research into Big Little Feelings, I found myself drawn to this approach more than ever before. The idea of treating my child with empathy while also providing guidance felt like a perfect balance between being nurturing yet firm.
But as with any parenting philosophy, there isn’t one right answer for everyone. It ultimately comes down to what works best for you as a parent and your individual child’s needs.