This episode is an honest, unscripted conversation about gentle parenting and where it may have gone too far. Drawing from my experience as a parent and occupational therapist, we explore how cultural overcorrection has shifted parenting toward over-validation and emotional mediation. We discuss when gentle parenting can be supportive and when it may undermine independence, resilience, and long-term outcomes. Real clinical examples highlight downstream effects like anxiety, dependency, and difficulty functioning outside the home. We also talk through practical alternatives that balance empathy with firm boundaries. Ultimately, this episode centers on raising capable, independent kids who can grow into healthy adults.

Timestamps [00:00] Gentle parenting as overcorrection [00:41] Episode format and conversation setup [01:00] Parenting perspective and lived experience [01:27] Defining gentle parenting [02:18] Cultural shifts and discipline backlash [03:19] Entitlement and overvalidation concerns [04:02] When gentle parenting works vs fails [05:16] Preparing kids for environments beyond home [06:33] Dependency, control, and separation challenges [07:26] Clinical case example: sleep dependency [08:22] Role of parent coaching in OT [09:18] Risks of total emotional mediation [10:12] Neurodivergence and regulation challenges [11:29] Concrete examples: bedtime and routines [12:30] Tracking behavior and gathering data [13:07] Ferber chair method and prompt fading [15:20] Progress, sleep gains, and family relief [16:40] Sustainability and long-term independence [17:06] Parenting culture and power dynamics [18:34] Ceding power and “child ruling the roost” [19:02] Hierarchy, boundaries, and learning to cope [20:14] Seeing kids as younger than they are [21:41] Raising expectations and capability [22:47] Ease vs growth for parents [24:32] Why this podcast exists [25:06] Needs vs wants and developmental growth [26:12] Finding the middle ground [27:05] Non-negotiables and parental bandwidth [27:57] Accountability and parent coaching [28:43] Predictable, consistent consequences [29:27] Holding boundaries and agreements [30:28] Long-term outcomes into adulthood [31:49] Independence as the goal [32:11] OT’s role across the lifespan