Cappuccinos for Kids: Good Idea?
Tips for Saying 'I'm Sorry' in a Relationship
20 Best Jeremy Lin Puns
Kim Kardashian vs. Snooki: Who's Classier? (VIDEO)
Best Red Carpet Interviews Ever (VIDEO)
Why Skipping Prenatal Vitamins Isn't a Good Idea
Delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
Is Adele Taking a Break From Music?
Michelle Obama's Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy
Take Action: Stand Up Against Weight Bullying
Things Your Son Can Teach You About Men
Past 'Sports Illustrated' Covergirls (PHOTOS)
Are Egg Donors Really 'Mothers'?
Your Lipstick Could Be Bad for Your Health
Jennifer Aniston Slams Brad Pitt
Photo by Christy.Cab
It's called Consentual Living -- it basically means that you and your toddler are equals. You are no longer the boss, and she is no longer the underling.
No more time-outs or spanks. No taking away consequences to discourage bad behavior. No, well, no more work for us moms at all!
Parent Dish goes into the Consentual Living philosophy and bit more deeply and provides a link to the movement's main site, but here's an example of how it might work in practice:
"If little Bobby hits another child on the playground, Dad might talk to him about how hitting is wrong and offer him other ways to express his anger, but he won't make him apologize. If 2-year-old Susie doesn't want to tag along with mom to her doctor's appointment, mom might cancel her appointment."
So, punishments and rewards are considered "tools of manipulation" and unnecessary when the whole family is working together toward a common goal. When parents put themselves in the role of authority, they may believe they are doing it for the child's good, but they could be missing an opportunity to have more connected relationships with their children, a spokeswoman for the movement says.
This would not work in my house. If I did this, we'd be watching the CARS movie 24/7, adopting 30 puppies, and eating brownies for dinner every night.
Comments (58)
Good luck with that.
I'm not going to pass judgement, I'll just say with a special needs child this option isn't even on the table in my home or my child would have never made any progress.
Who comes up with this horse shit??!! No wonder we have a generation of spoiled brats! Kids need discipline and guidance!!!!!!! A parent's job is to be a parent--not the kid's best friend. If the parents are the kids' friends, how will the kids appreciate how to relate appropriately to other figures of authority? What about a boss? They won't have a clue! Kids need rules and appreciation for the fact that the world does not stop for them or revolve around them. What a bunch of bull!!
there wasn't an option for hell no. that is absurd.
When Bobby and Susie can change their own diaper, get themselves to school, and pay some bills, then we can talk about equal. Until then, you be the child and I'll be the parent. I pay bills and take care of you while you do what I tell you to do.
Don't fix what works. Rules and regulations for kids. Rights and priviledges for adults.
Wow. I consider myself to take a much more "child-led" approach to parenting, but even I am saying NO WAY on this one. My son's toddler brain is nowhere near developed enough to make decisions for himself.
I'm sure the child would just lap this up but it's absolutely ridiculous.
Parents need to be parents. Point. Blank. Period.
no thank you. I like to be the boss in my house.
no offense, but this is the bottom end of stupid. if children had the mental capacity to make sound judgments, they'd be able to vote, join the military, drink and engage in legal contracts. this is like a manual for how to fail.
i'll take the route of waiting until my children are adults to treat them like adults.
God made parents for a reason. If we were equals, then the new people would just appear and I have a feeling that they would be full grown adults when they appear. This is retarted, rediculous, absurd, and every other word related!!!
Go read parent in the webster dictionary!!!