We're looking today at the differences in how we collectively parent our children, from strict authoritarianism to free-range "permissive" parenting, and the whole spectrum in between.

Gentle parenting, when applied correctly, can provide the fertile soil for healthy and long-lasting relationships between parents and children that carry them well into adulthood.

Authoritarian parenting, requiring complete and total obedience and immediate submission, can foster low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and the inability to advocate for oneself later in life, in large and small ways.

We as parents must also been keenly aware when we make a joke at our child's expense how that impacts them and can live in their minds for decades, if not forever.

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Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:

You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymedia

You can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.com

Under the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:

The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond trauma

Adoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.

Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veterans

Deconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religion

New: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.

Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.

~m