Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless decisions. With so many approaches available today, it’s natural to wonder which style best fits your family’s needs. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and many parents in 2024 are choosing to blend various styles to create their unique path. At The Natural Nanny Collective, we celebrate and support all parenting approaches, knowing that everyone is just doing their best for their children.

Here’s a look at some of the prominent parenting styles gaining attention this year:

1. Gentle Parenting

Gentle parenting emphasizes empathy, respect, and understanding. This style encourages parents to respond to a child’s needs with compassion and patience, promoting strong emotional connections. Learn more about gentle parenting here.

2. Dr. Becky’s "Good Inside" Approach

Dr. Becky Kennedy, known as “Dr. Becky,” has become a beacon for parents looking for a balanced, realistic approach to raising children. Her philosophy, showcased in her book Good Inside, focuses on the idea that both parents and children are inherently “good inside.” Discover more about Dr. Becky’s approach here.

3. Positive Parenting

Positive parenting centers on building a child’s self-esteem and fostering a positive relationship through encouragement and clear communication. This approach involves setting boundaries with kindness and consistency. To dive deeper into positive parenting techniques, visit this guide. Learn more here. 

4. Attachment Parenting

Attachment parenting creates a strong emotional bond between parent and child through practices like co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, and babywearing. Explore the principles of attachment parenting here.

5. Authoritative Parenting

This balanced approach combines high responsiveness with clear expectations, supporting children’s independence while maintaining structure. Authoritative parenting has been shown to foster well-rounded and confident children. Read more about authoritative parenting here.

6. Love and Logic

"Love and Logic" is a practical approach that blends love and discipline, empowering children to make choices while learning from the natural consequences of their actions. This style encourages responsibility and independence while fostering a supportive relationship. Learn more about "Love and Logic" here.

There’s No “Right” Way – Just Your Way

While it’s easy to feel pressure to adopt a particular style, the reality is that many parents today follow a combination of approaches. They take what resonates from each and create a personalized blend that feels authentic and sustainable for their family. Whether you gravitate toward the gentle and nurturing style of Dr. Becky, practice attachment parenting, or prefer the structure of authoritative methods, what matters most is your commitment and love.

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to parenting. Every parent is navigating this journey in their unique way, learning, adapting, and trying their best. And at the heart of every style is the same intention: to raise happy, healthy, and resilient children.

The research on consistency is clear.  What matters most is predictability, dependability, and love. No matter what parenting style we choose, it’s important that your child knows that they can expect you to be in their corner at the end of the day.  Kids thrive on routine. If we stick to our boundaries that we set (no matter the style) and show up for kids as our authentic selves, time and time again, our children will thrive.  

 And don’t get me wrong, as a mom myself, sometimes I mess up. I don’t do everything right every time. If I mess up,  I apologize to my son and explain to him that mommy is not perfect and that’s ok.   We need to model to our children what it is to be human and how to navigate the inevitable challenges of life. 

At The Natural Nanny Collective, we’re here to support you and your family, no matter what parenting approach you choose. If you’d like to discuss how our caregivers can align with your parenting style or want resources to explore these methods further, don’t hesitate to reach out.