Not Too Strict, Not Too Gentle. Respectful Parenting is Here!

Feb 3, 2025

Explore the innovative approach of Respectful Parenting that balances discipline with emotional connection. Child development expert Janet Rotter shares insights on treating kids as valued individuals. Listen to transformative stories, like one mother’s journey with her spirited daughter, showcasing the power of empathy. Discover how validating children's emotions during struggles fosters emotional intelligence and reduces parental stress. Navigate practical strategies for setting boundaries while nurturing connections for happier family dynamics.

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ADVICE

Respectful Parenting Basics

Respect children's natural development and acknowledge their emotional needs.
Avoid treating them as miniature adults, but respect them as individuals.

ADVICE

Handling Sibling Rivalry

Address sibling conflicts by first understanding each child's perspective and validating their feelings.
Focus on teaching children about their impact on others to foster self-control.

ADVICE

Setting Boundaries

Establish clear expectations for behavior, such as not causing harm or destroying things.
Provide consistent and firm guidance to help children meet these expectations kindly.

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There’s a new parenting style in town. Not too hard, not too soft. It’s just right! It’s called “Respectful Parenting!” It’s designed to make children feel respected, loved, heard, and valued as individuals.

Janet Rotter, child development expert, psychoanalyst and head of The Studio School in New York City, talks with Lynn and Justin about fostering emotional connections with our children, based on the belief that all humans - no matter the age - deserve to be treated with empathy and compassion.

In our Parenting Story of the Day, we hear from Sarah Savage who was having trouble with her spirited daughter - until she tried a new approach. It changed everything for the better.

You can also watch this podcast on YouTube @munchkin channel and reach us at podcast@munchkin.com.

Janet Rotter / The Studio School / IG / FB

Janet Rotter is a leading child development expert, educator, and psychoanalyst. She is also the Head of School and Co-President of the Board of Trustees at The Studio School in New York City, an independent not-for-profit day school serving children from preschool through eighth grade.

The Studio School innovated an interdisciplinary curriculum, as well as the techniques for teaching it, and is at the forefront of children’s education. Janet’s affiliation with the Studio School began in 1975, and she has made it her mission to promote and extend the unique educational philosophy developed there to value intellectual and creative ideas, and take pleasure in the process of discovery.

Sarah Savage

Sarah, a mother of two, has a degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She writes for the parenting website Auburn-Opelika Moms.

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