Emma, a 38-year-old mother, wrote to us seeking advice and sharing her unique parenting approach. Raised in a strict, authoritarian household, Emma suffered from low self-esteem and strained relationships with her parents. Determined to break this cycle, she chose to raise her son, Georgie, in a loving, respectful, and open environment.

Emma believes in fostering empathy naturally, without forcing manners like “sorry” or “thank you.” She feels this prevents children from learning genuine remorse and prioritizing others’ feelings over their own. However, this approach has led to conflicts, especially with her husband, who believes in more traditional, strict parenting.

A recent incident at the playground, where Georgie pushed another child and Emma apologized instead of forcing her son to do so, escalated the criticism. The other child’s mother labeled Emma as irresponsible, and the incident deepened the disagreement with her husband.

Despite the close bond she shares with Georgie, Emma faces constant criticism from friends and family, making her question her methods. She hopes to hear from other parents about their views on balancing understanding and discipline in parenting.

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