Join Monique for an in-depth and thought-provoking interview with Erin Kunkle from MAVEN to explore a Christian perspective on gentle parenting. In this long-form conversation, they dive into the popular yet controversial parenting philosophy, examining its core pillars—empathy, respect, understanding, and boundaries—and how they align (or don’t) with biblical principles.
Erin, a mother of five and co-host of the MAVEN Parent Podcast, shares her insights on the rise of gentle parenting, its appeal to millennial parents, and the potential dangers of its therapeutic approach when disconnected from a Christian worldview. From discussing the cultural pressures of social media to unpacking key scriptures on parenting, this episode challenges listeners to consider how God’s design for family, authority, and discipline contrasts with modern parenting trends.
Key Questions: 👉 How does gentle parenting handle sin and the human condition? 👉 Can empathy and respect coexist with firm, loving discipline? 👉 What does it mean to raise children who fear the Lord in a world that rejects authority?
Time Stamps of Key Moments: 0:06 Introduction to the topic: Gentle Parenting debate 3:04 Guest's Background and her work at MAVEN 5:00 Defining Gentle Parenting (Sarah Ockwell-Smith’s Four Pillars) 16:32 Why Gentle Parenting is popular 18:15 Category Error in Gentle Parenting (Respecting Children as Adults); God's order for the family
24:55 Childism and Its Ideological Roots 27:46 Misdiagnosis of Human Nature (Sin vs. “Good Inside”) 34:54 Sarah Ockwell-Smith’s Childism Blog Critique 48:45 Logical Conclusion: LGBTQ+ Support and Autonomy 1:09:28 Scriptural Role of Parents 1:18:46 False Dichotomies in Gentle Parenting 1:20:34 Practical Example: Gentle but Firm Parenting 1:25:05 Biblical Pillars of Parenting 1:30:56 Encouragement for Christian Parents 1:38:46 Call to Understand Gentle Parenting’s Dominance
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