Jellyfish Parenting Has Been Rising In Popularity, And Here’s Your Guide To What Exactly It Means
Since children do not come with guidebooks, parents often struggle with how to raise their kids “the right way.”
However, there is no set formula parents can follow that will automatically lead to the cultivation of well-rounded, successful kids.
If you’re trying to figure out what type of parent you want to be, you should know that there are three main parenting styles–authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian.
Recently, something called jellyfish parenting has been experiencing a rise in popularity. Jellyfish parenting falls under the category of permissive parenting, which is a style of parenting known for its lack of rules and discipline.
Jellyfish parents are all about going with the flow and rolling with the punches. They take a more laid-back approach and prioritize their kids’ happiness and well-being over all else.
Much like a jellyfish, parents who practice this parenting style are boneless and flexible. They don’t establish limits and give their kids the freedom to choose what they want to do.
The idea of jellyfish parenting centers around the fact that children’s schedules are often overbooked. They are lugged to and fro piano lessons, ballet, or soccer practice.
And most of these activities are imposed upon them by parents in an effort to make their children more well-rounded and successful.
However, rushing between several activities per day can be tiring and stressful for a child. Plus, they may not even truly enjoy the activities and are only fulfilling their parents’ wishes. So jellyfish parents want to avoid this by listening and agreeing to what their children really want to do.
220 Selfmade studio – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person or child
Jellyfish parenting has a lot of benefits. For instance, jellyfish parents build deeper connections with their kids because they communicate and have empathy for them, putting their kids’ pleasure above their own.
This parenting style also results in more confident, independent children. Since they are permitted to make their own judgments and pursue their passions/interests, they have competent decision-making abilities and a strong sense of self.
Jellyfish parenting does have its disadvantages, though. With the absence of restrictions and guidelines, children who have complete freedom may find it difficult to maintain self-control.
In addition, parents may have a harder time enforcing boundaries and disciplining children when they act up. And when kids are the ones in the driver’s seat and aren’t used to hearing the word ‘no,’ they may struggle with adapting to routines in school.
As a result, this parenting style could lead to having a negative influence on a child’s emotional growth. Of course, jellyfish parenting has its pros and cons, but it’s possible to strike a balance between being too controlling and relaxed.
The permissive style may not be for every family, but some of its elements are beneficial for children. So take a page from the jellyfish parenting playbook and work with your child to find a balance that’s a good fit for everyone.
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