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In a lot of ways, having access to the internet is a wonderful thing. At any given moment, you’re just a few clicks away from the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world, adorable videos of puppies playing in the snow and information about that mysterious rash that suddenly appeared on your shoulder.
But at the same time, it can be overwhelming to have so much information, especially if you’re looking for parenting advice. At the beginning of the year, one man made a TikTok calling out toxic parenting trends he noticed online in 2024 that he’s hoping moms and dads put to rest. Below, you’ll find his full explanation of why these trends should be laid to rest, as well as some of the reactions viewers had to his video.
RELATED:
There are constantly new parenting trends popping up on the internet
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
So this man is calling out the ones he’d like to see moms and dads leave behind
Image credits: neurodivergent_nate
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: neurodivergent_nate
You can watch Nate’s full video breaking down these points right here
@neurodivergent_nate Parenting trends #gentleparenting#parents#parentsoftiktok#parenting#parentingtips#parent#parentsbelike#parenthood#parentinghacks#parenting101#kids#children♬ original sound – Neurodivergent Nate
Two thirds of parents believe that raising kids is harder today than it was 20 years ago, primarily due to technology
As many parents can attest, the internet is full of advice and opinions about how you should raise your kids. Never allow your little ones to sleep in your bed because it’s unsafe. But if you make them sleep in their own room, they won’t have as strong of a bond with you. Children should never be fed any junk food. But restricting sugar in your household might lead your child to develop an eating disorder.
According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, two thirds of parents believe that raising kids today is harder than it was two decades ago. The main reasons they cited for this? Technology and social media. But this is not only because children have access to the internet; it also impacts moms and dads.
All of the contradictory information online can make your head spin, but one thing is for sure: parents shouldn’t be following viral parenting trends just because they’re popular. One trend that has been called out in recent years is “sharenting,” or proud parents posting photos and videos of their little ones online.
Although this is usually done with innocent intentions, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers warns CBS12 News that this could be dangerous for children.
“Parents often post information about their children that gives a window to predators… of where their child is located, where they go to school, their teacher, [and] their name.” Dr. Albers says. “It does have clinical consequences in the long run to children’s self-esteem and relationships.”
She explains that creating a narrative around your child can make them feel pressure to conform to that identity, even if it isn’t authentic. It can also be embarrassing for kids to see content of themselves online, either in the moment or when they see it in the future.
Image credits: stem.T4L / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Choose the parenting method that works best for your family, rather than what happens to be trending online
Parents.com also published a piece at the end of 2024 noting which trends they’d like to see vanish. First, they called out kids that have “more luxe skincare routines than parents.”
They also noted that “inchstone parties” have gotten out of control. This is when parents throw celebrations for every tiny accomplishment their children have. It’s great to be supportive and show your kids love, but friends and family members don’t need to be included in every single moment.
And another trend that Nate addressed in his video is gentle parenting. This has exploded on TikTok in recent years, but it has plenty of critics as well. And Emily Edlynn, PhD, wrote a piece for Psychology Today breaking down the negatives of this parenting style.
First, she notes that fans of gentle parenting often promote the idea that your child’s behavior is a direct representation of how healthy your relationship with them is. It puts pressure on parents to make every interaction positive, and it can make moms and dads feel like failures if their little ones aren’t responding well to gentle parenting methods.
Dr. Edlynn also says that showing empathy doesn’t magically fix everything. You can have a strong connection with your children while teaching them that their actions have consequences. And finally, the expert notes that there’s no scientific evidence proving that gentle parenting is the best route to take. So do what works best for your family, and don’t feel the need to prescribe to one method.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this video below, pandas. How do you feel about these parenting trends? Then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing a similar topic right here.
Image credits: Wesley Tingey / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Readers were quick to share their thoughts on Nate’s takes, whether they agreed or not
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What do you think ?
turk 9 months ago
There is literally not a single incidence of a litter box being requested for a child. It never happened. F**k this reality-challenged idiot and any website that publishes his MAGA b******t.
SlothyK8 9 months ago
Furries and litter boxes? Where are you sourcing your stories, Newsmax? DO BETTER BP!!!
Zelda McLink 9 months ago
NO ONE HAS LITTER BOXES IN SCHOOLS! This has been debunked SO many times, and you still get morons like this loser believing it.
cugel. 9 months ago
This is why it happens, post some shit, all the dimwits swallow it whole, and don't see or don't care about actual facts.
Load More Replies...
Alisha Natzel 9 months ago
I cant believe this is posted. What the actual hell. Some internet troll is now getting their face out there because BP 'writers' are passing it along. I'm tempted to give a rebuttle but you can't fight crazy. I want my kids to learn skills, be prolific readers, cook, handle math, travel, maybe make a difference, be happy. No one is talking about litter boxes unless you own cats.
Mike F 9 months ago
Who is this idiot and what makes him an authority on raising children? I'm feeling like this is rage-bait, at least I hope it is. A twenty something tiktok twinky giving out child rearing advice? Nope.
Load More Replies... 
Zander Porbanda 9 months ago
Litterboxing in schools was a joke and doesn’t deserve to be bundled in here.
Alisha Natzel 9 months ago
Can believe this is posted. What the actual hell. Some internet troll of now getting their face out there because BP 'writers' are passing it along. I would love you even have a rebuttle but it's not possible to fight idiocy. Why is it impossible to have real conversations today. I want my kids to learn skills, be prolific readers, cook, handle math, travel, maybe make a difference, be happy.
flick 9 months ago
man, people really do hate kids trying to figure themselves out. Have an interest/hobby? BAD. Need to explore your identity? WRONG. Parents are the reason kids today (says I, one of them) are terrified to have individuality. also, they just make s**t up, like the litter box thing. I thought we moved past that?
Paul C. 9 months ago
My wife and I went to the York Castle Museum and after a couple of minutes, we could hear a small dog yapping. We thought why have they let a dog in. Turned out to be a child of about 10 barking like a dog and teachers and other children just carried on as normal. I'm sure I'm in a minority but personally I think if you behave and bark like a dog then you should be treated like one and as dogs are not allowed in the museum, not be allowed in. The actors doing the staged pieces had their performances ruined. The constant noise also ruined our visit as it did for at least ten others around us who commented on it.
Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
there are some truly odd parenting styles out there and there always has been. but the job of a parent is to bring your child up to leave home - this means teaching them the skills to look after themselves, make good decisions and have a good sense of self. thats it
Peter Bear 9 months ago
BP, seriously. The 'therian' and litter box conspiracy IS NOT REAL. This does not happen. Please retract this article. You're better than this.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 9 months ago
The only parenting-advice I would promote wherever I can is: "Do not hurt your kids intentionally". That includes mental/psychological hurt and obvsl physical hurt. You will not be able to prevent ANY hurt at all, but you should make certain that it is not ever intended to BE hurtful. And don't cop out by saying that "Corporal punishment is not intended to hurt but to make them realize the consequences". No. You raise your hand (or worse, a tool like a belt or stick) TO HURT YOUR CHILD. Because you believe hurting them physically will bring some change in behavior. If you didn't intend for them to feel pain, you wouldn't raise your hand, would you? Parents are older and should be more mature than their children. They have more resources to go to. If you have a problem, go look for help. Ask, google, read a book. There will always be a way that isn't painful.
Trisec Tebeakesse 9 months ago
How about you stop giving raging lunatics a platform to spew this nonsense, BP?
Rick Murray 9 months ago (edited)
Litter boxes? It was a hoax you gormless republican tw@t! https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/urban-myth-litter-boxes-schools-became-gop-talking-point-rcna51439 How can we be expected to take anything this guy says seriously when he so completely fell for that nonsense. Adelaide, shame on you for giving this cretin a platform.
ALittleKnownGoddess 9 months ago
Please please please leave the MAGA s**t off of BP; some of us need a safe space where we can read stories about dogs and thrift shop finds.
Jeffery Gorgonzola 9 months ago
I dunno why this got down voted, I wish I could upvote this into oblivion. It's so true.
Load More Replies...
Claudia Conway 9 months ago
I honestly don't know gentle parenting well enough to comment on it, though I suspect it's not about being totally permissive with everything. I do know about 'Free range parenting', and no, it's not 'neglect'. That's just treating it, as people with so many things these days, like people aren't capable of judgement and nuance. Obviously, you don't send a 3 year old to the shops half a mile away, of shove a 6 year old out all day or something. You give kids age-appropriate independence which makes them safer and so they don't end up one of those kids who can't cope with anything on their own. Yeah, also the furries thing, no aware this is a 'trend', and no one's using litter boxes.
Drive Bee 9 months ago
Decades ago, I made my autistic niece a cat costume for halloween and she ended up wearing it often. It made her so happy. I would hate to see someone like this guy make a child like that feel judged or bad about themselves. A lot of the stuff he is saying is just conspiracy theories. No one is doing litter boxes, get real. Wake up and look at the world around you instead of the tv screen telling you what's happening. I believe in being gentle, kind, consistent, and having consequences that make sense and help kids learn to have self control. Who is he and what training in child development does he have? He comes across as an irritated person who is just complaining about his personal dislikes.
HappyShannon12 9 months ago
We have WWIII on our doorstep and all you guys can worry about is this sh!t?
Child of the Stars 9 months ago
Yay for the parents sticking up for actual gentle parenting! It is NOT the same as permissive parenting and DOES enforce boundaries, it just isn't "do what I say because I told you to!"
Tyranamar Seuss 9 months ago
Except for the weird part about furries and litter boxes I thought this article was OK.
kkrq2vk4tm 9 months ago
I would not object to my child wanting to identify as an animal, but there would be no phones, no computers, radio, TV, snack. treats, clothing would be basic from the supermarket, 3 meals a day kept simple, no deserts and they would not be allowed out on their own as these are not the needs of the average animal then I would sit back and see how long that little trend lasted
Zephyr343 9 months ago
Gee....my wife is due in June and I was kind of looking for advice about what are good parenting styles and what I should stay away from.
Drive Bee 9 months ago
Stay away from anything that has you trying to "train" the baby before it has developed security and trust. the first year is for that. The second year you begin with gentle training with things appropriate for the age. No hitting, no harsh punishments. Make up fun ways to practice with your child the things you want them to learn, like a game. Love them. Nurture them. Let them feel safe and supported. Love their mom and lift her up.
Load More Replies...
Michael Fernandez 9 months ago
BP, you should take some of those premium subscription fees and send someone to the U.S. to double check some of these Republican talking points.
turk 9 months ago
There is literally not a single incidence of a litter box being requested for a child. It never happened. F**k this reality-challenged idiot and any website that publishes his MAGA b******t.
SlothyK8 9 months ago
Furries and litter boxes? Where are you sourcing your stories, Newsmax? DO BETTER BP!!!
Zelda McLink 9 months ago
NO ONE HAS LITTER BOXES IN SCHOOLS! This has been debunked SO many times, and you still get morons like this loser believing it.
cugel. 9 months ago
This is why it happens, post some shit, all the dimwits swallow it whole, and don't see or don't care about actual facts.
Load More Replies... Alisha Natzel 9 months ago
I cant believe this is posted. What the actual hell. Some internet troll is now getting their face out there because BP 'writers' are passing it along. I'm tempted to give a rebuttle but you can't fight crazy. I want my kids to learn skills, be prolific readers, cook, handle math, travel, maybe make a difference, be happy. No one is talking about litter boxes unless you own cats.
Mike F 9 months ago
Who is this idiot and what makes him an authority on raising children? I'm feeling like this is rage-bait, at least I hope it is. A twenty something tiktok twinky giving out child rearing advice? Nope.
Load More Replies... Zander Porbanda 9 months ago
Litterboxing in schools was a joke and doesn’t deserve to be bundled in here.
Alisha Natzel 9 months ago
Can believe this is posted. What the actual hell. Some internet troll of now getting their face out there because BP 'writers' are passing it along. I would love you even have a rebuttle but it's not possible to fight idiocy. Why is it impossible to have real conversations today. I want my kids to learn skills, be prolific readers, cook, handle math, travel, maybe make a difference, be happy.
flick 9 months ago
man, people really do hate kids trying to figure themselves out. Have an interest/hobby? BAD. Need to explore your identity? WRONG. Parents are the reason kids today (says I, one of them) are terrified to have individuality. also, they just make s**t up, like the litter box thing. I thought we moved past that?
Paul C. 9 months ago
My wife and I went to the York Castle Museum and after a couple of minutes, we could hear a small dog yapping. We thought why have they let a dog in. Turned out to be a child of about 10 barking like a dog and teachers and other children just carried on as normal. I'm sure I'm in a minority but personally I think if you behave and bark like a dog then you should be treated like one and as dogs are not allowed in the museum, not be allowed in. The actors doing the staged pieces had their performances ruined. The constant noise also ruined our visit as it did for at least ten others around us who commented on it.
Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
there are some truly odd parenting styles out there and there always has been. but the job of a parent is to bring your child up to leave home - this means teaching them the skills to look after themselves, make good decisions and have a good sense of self. thats it
Peter Bear 9 months ago
BP, seriously. The 'therian' and litter box conspiracy IS NOT REAL. This does not happen. Please retract this article. You're better than this.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 9 months ago
The only parenting-advice I would promote wherever I can is: "Do not hurt your kids intentionally". That includes mental/psychological hurt and obvsl physical hurt. You will not be able to prevent ANY hurt at all, but you should make certain that it is not ever intended to BE hurtful. And don't cop out by saying that "Corporal punishment is not intended to hurt but to make them realize the consequences". No. You raise your hand (or worse, a tool like a belt or stick) TO HURT YOUR CHILD. Because you believe hurting them physically will bring some change in behavior. If you didn't intend for them to feel pain, you wouldn't raise your hand, would you? Parents are older and should be more mature than their children. They have more resources to go to. If you have a problem, go look for help. Ask, google, read a book. There will always be a way that isn't painful.
Trisec Tebeakesse 9 months ago
How about you stop giving raging lunatics a platform to spew this nonsense, BP?
Rick Murray 9 months ago (edited)
Litter boxes? It was a hoax you gormless republican tw@t! https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/urban-myth-litter-boxes-schools-became-gop-talking-point-rcna51439 How can we be expected to take anything this guy says seriously when he so completely fell for that nonsense. Adelaide, shame on you for giving this cretin a platform.
ALittleKnownGoddess 9 months ago
Please please please leave the MAGA s**t off of BP; some of us need a safe space where we can read stories about dogs and thrift shop finds.
Jeffery Gorgonzola 9 months ago
I dunno why this got down voted, I wish I could upvote this into oblivion. It's so true.
Load More Replies... Claudia Conway 9 months ago
I honestly don't know gentle parenting well enough to comment on it, though I suspect it's not about being totally permissive with everything. I do know about 'Free range parenting', and no, it's not 'neglect'. That's just treating it, as people with so many things these days, like people aren't capable of judgement and nuance. Obviously, you don't send a 3 year old to the shops half a mile away, of shove a 6 year old out all day or something. You give kids age-appropriate independence which makes them safer and so they don't end up one of those kids who can't cope with anything on their own. Yeah, also the furries thing, no aware this is a 'trend', and no one's using litter boxes.
Drive Bee 9 months ago
Decades ago, I made my autistic niece a cat costume for halloween and she ended up wearing it often. It made her so happy. I would hate to see someone like this guy make a child like that feel judged or bad about themselves. A lot of the stuff he is saying is just conspiracy theories. No one is doing litter boxes, get real. Wake up and look at the world around you instead of the tv screen telling you what's happening. I believe in being gentle, kind, consistent, and having consequences that make sense and help kids learn to have self control. Who is he and what training in child development does he have? He comes across as an irritated person who is just complaining about his personal dislikes.
HappyShannon12 9 months ago
We have WWIII on our doorstep and all you guys can worry about is this sh!t?
Child of the Stars 9 months ago
Yay for the parents sticking up for actual gentle parenting! It is NOT the same as permissive parenting and DOES enforce boundaries, it just isn't "do what I say because I told you to!"
Tyranamar Seuss 9 months ago
Except for the weird part about furries and litter boxes I thought this article was OK.
kkrq2vk4tm 9 months ago
I would not object to my child wanting to identify as an animal, but there would be no phones, no computers, radio, TV, snack. treats, clothing would be basic from the supermarket, 3 meals a day kept simple, no deserts and they would not be allowed out on their own as these are not the needs of the average animal then I would sit back and see how long that little trend lasted
Zephyr343 9 months ago
Gee....my wife is due in June and I was kind of looking for advice about what are good parenting styles and what I should stay away from.
Drive Bee 9 months ago
Stay away from anything that has you trying to "train" the baby before it has developed security and trust. the first year is for that. The second year you begin with gentle training with things appropriate for the age. No hitting, no harsh punishments. Make up fun ways to practice with your child the things you want them to learn, like a game. Love them. Nurture them. Let them feel safe and supported. Love their mom and lift her up.
Load More Replies... Michael Fernandez 9 months ago
BP, you should take some of those premium subscription fees and send someone to the U.S. to double check some of these Republican talking points.
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