Ode to gentle parenting - proof? pudding!

I have been committed to gentle parenting since my first child was born, nearly 3 years ago now. There were times when I wondered if I was doing the right thing, 'creating a monster' or just wished I could have a day off, but for the most part, it's been a wonderul journey. DS is now really blossoming. His personality is really starting to shine. He's so cool, calm and collected. He's loving and thoughtful. He's gentle and caring of other's needs. He copes well with difficult things like haircuts and doctors and daycare. He's centered. Inquisitive. Independent. Self-assured. Confident. He loves his friends and family fiercely. He's protective. He's kind.

So.. I thought in light of a few threads we've had about frustration/exasperation with gentle parenting, we could have a celebration thread too.

Post all the wonderful things about your gentle parented children here, that you think have stemmed from the way you've parented.

May it be a source of inspiration for anyone having a difficult 'gentle parenting' day or wondering if gentle parenting is worthwhile.

awwww thanks for sharing hun!!
my DD1 also 3 yrs sounds very much like your DS!
for me its mt second child thats created lots of frustration with parenting, but i do know it will pay off!
:hug: its lovely to read of others success with GP!

Great thread!! :p

My DD is only 13mths but already, we can see the results from all our hard work with gentle parenting.... she is the happiest, bubbliest, cheekiest, very social baby!! Alot of it is her personality and genes of course but alot is also the way we are parenting her! :D

that is so true! My last I was more into the GP ways, and he is the easiest most loving, gentle, sweetest little man. I can't wait to see how he is when he's a little older.

Top thread skeetaboat!!! It's a great reminder.

I started too with my nearly four year old, and while she still has her....lets call them quirks ;), she is one of the most thoughtful children I have ever met. She is polite, generous and kind. She is openly loving, and friendly.
Lol she loves explaining things too....ie we can't do this because....I think this is what should be done because....
She also sleeps 13hours overnight without one night ever of CIO.

Im not really sure what the definition of GP is but if it means:
Picking up my baby when she crys
Consoling her when she is upset
Explaining why she cant / shouldnt do things
Feeding day and night when she needs it
Cuddling anf kissing her ALL THE TIME
Letting her sleep with us / away from us as she sees fit
and generally being "one of those mothers" who attends to her every need

Then YES I am one..

And DD is 15 months and the brightest most bubbly, out going, social, loving and content bub that knows that even when Mum goes to work that she will be back and its all good...

Sorry didnt mean to gp so OT! But I am proud of the way I parent my DD and of the little girl that she is growing into!! :)

My ds1 is the most affectionate and funny little boy. He's brave and loving and has a great sense of humour. He gets so excited when he sees his friends and goes up and gives them a big cuddle. Awww i could go on about him all day :)

My DS not only chatted to me all around the supermarket yesterday, he let me chat to another mum for 15 minute and when we got home he put some of the shopping away for me (because the kitchen was, in his words, a "terrible mess").

Treat a child as a human and they respond! DS treats me as a human - a wonderful, near-infallable human, but still a human. And he wants to help me, because I help him.

DS is very affectionate and loves to show love. He also loves to make up games and share them with me. He's great at compliments too.

I have an almost 4 year old DS who absolutely rocks my world and I am sure it has a lot to do with my gentle parenting efforts over the years :D

He is the most outgoing, confident, thoughtful child I know. He is so smart, he listens intently to all of the explanations i give to his constant questions and when the same subject comes up even months down the track he will explain that answer to others.

DS still occasionally co sleeps and we both love it. He puts himself to sleep in his own bed every night within 5 mins of going to bed and settles himself back to sleep at night when something startles him and wakes him up.

He is more than happy to stay with other friends and family while I have free time.

He always uses his manners and makes friends with anyone and everyone.

He rarely uses violence, first he uses words to calm the situation down, then he walks away, if that doesnt work he will hit back in defence but its rare.

I am so proud that after all of my hard work, after all of my family and friends judged my gentle parenting and told me I would regret it in the future, that i have such a great self assured little boy.

Ryn you have hit the nail on the head - treat a child as a human and they respond - perfect!

How rad is this thread?

DD1 is very independent. When she falls and hurts herself, she lets us know, we ask if she's okay and she's invariably says "I'm okay" and continues playing. We've always responded to her emotional needs appropriately so now she's learning to self soothe quite well - she transitioned from co-sleeping into her own bed with ease, she sleeps in her own bed next to mine now. She LOVES her little sister, whenever she cries, DD1 says "It's okay sweetheart" "it's okay darling", or when we're changing a nappy, "nearly finished". She loves putting nappies on her dollies and putting them to bed. Whenever I ask, "What's dolly's name?" she will always answer, with each doll "Fia!" (she calls her little sister Sophia, Fia). Her favourite doll is a blonde one, just like her sister.