Bullying, gaming and tantrums: Parents put under the spotlight in Parental Guidance
No one is immune to a kid throwing a wobbly.
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As much as we say we don't, we all have a parenting style in common: Judgemental parenting.
Despite our best efforts not to judge anyone for how they parent or when their child acts out in public, we've all had that brief moment at some point where we think about how we could've handled the situation better.
The parent in the supermarket saying no to the chocolate bar at the checkout. The mum dealing with a hands-on child who doesn't want to leave the park just yet. The dad who trying his absolute best to do a tear-free daycare drop-off and still get to work on time.
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Parental Guidance puts all parents under the spotlight
No one is immune when it comes to kids acting out. Even the ones who judge. And we're all being put under the spotlight in the second series of channel nine's Parental Guidance.
In the new reality series, hosted by Ally Langdon and Dr Justin Coulson, experts take a deep dive into 12 different parenting styles and how they handle certain tasks thrown at them.
It's a combination of entertaining viewing, with a hint of judgement.
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Navigating public tantrums
In the first two episodes, the spotlight is put on gentle parents, lighthouse parents, outback parents, and honest parents.
The parents, along with their children, are given their first challenges - a family photo shoot, navigating potential predators in an online game, and a cooking challenge.
While some handled the challenges well, others struggled a little more and it didn't take long for viewers to share their thoughts online. Particularly when it came to gentle parents Larissa and Marcus.
The gentle parents are known for their 'no yelling' approach and respecting that children will act out because, well, they're kids!
"Gentle parenting is about letting children be children and respecting them as people," mum Larissa says in her opening chat.
"We allow them to express their opinions just like we express ours," Marcus adds.
But the flaws in their style become obvious to other parents on the show when the children lash out at their folks when they don't want to participate in the challenges set for them by the producers.
Participating parents shared their views on the panel, claiming that they would've handled the situation better with a more authoritative approach and even perhaps a bribe.
Is it OK to teach your kids to hit back?
The gentle parents aren't the only ones to have caused a stir over the first two nights of the show airing.
Lighthouse parents Sammy and Jason were ambushed over allowing their two oldest children to swim in the surf on their own, while outback parents Tency and David were thrown under the bus for admitting that they not only occasionally spank their children to get them to listen, but also give their children permission to hit another if they're ever in a bullying situation.
"Such a tough topic 😩 I say no to hitting. I try teach and demonstrate those strong confident voices to say no or leave me alone, seek help," one person shared online.
While parents were divided on the panel, others were fully supporting their thinking.
One mum shared online" "My daughter was bullied and taunted and this kid grabbed her ponytail from behind her and yanked her to the ground whilst still holding on to her hair.. my daughter got up and kicked him between the legs and he leg go and she ran away!"
And another said they also tell their children to act that way if there was no other option - just like the outback parents.
"It shouldn’t be not ok for a kid to defend themselves in my opinion. I’ve said to my kids, never start a fight, but you’re allowed to finish it if someone els starts it, if in self defence situation," another parent added.
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The best family conversation starter
While there are a lot of opinions being shared in conversations, online, and on the show about the different parenting styles, the show is an ultimate conversation starter for families.
Children watching the show are asking their parents questions about the best way to tackle a similar situation while parents are also discussing ways they can parent better.
The online gaming challenge opens up the conversation about how to keep our children safe online when predators are lurking and the children getting lost in the shopping centre challenge keeps the conversation going about what to do in that situation.
"All the labels you hear for parenting - tiger parenting, helicopter parenting, tough-love parenting, jellyfish parenting, the list goes on - they’re all taking extremes and very few are backed by science. So how do you know which one is “right”?" Dr Justin Coulson asks in an Instagram post.
"At the end of the day, there is scientific backing and evidence to what truly is the 'right way'. And it comes down to three things:
- Involvement
- Structure
- Autonomy
"As you watch our PG2 families over the next few weeks, undoubtedly you will begin to reflect on your OWN parenting style," Justin adds.
"As you do, keep these 3 principles in mind. Am I accepting, or rejecting of my child? Am I providing a firm and clear structure? Or is their foundation a little flabby? Do I give my child opportunities to make their own choice? Or am I controlling?
"These three guideposts will give you a clear indication about where you’re strong, and where you might need to focus a little attention."
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Originally published as Bullying, gaming and tantrums: Parents put under the spotlight in Parental Guidance
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