Cried even in my sleep last night

[marbles]

When I was a teenager, I thought my sister was crazy for the way she parented. We grew up Dobson, and she is an AP, gentle, almost unschooling parent. I definitely said (not to her, of course) how she was ruining her kids and how I would never be so "lazy" when I had kids. I was just repeating what I heard, unfortunately. I bet those teenagers are hearing that same kind of talk from their parents. Hopefully they will grow up and remember your words, just like I did, when they begin having kids of their own. I believe every little voice adds up, so even if you don't stand on street corners and shout at people all the dangers of spanking, you are one more person who raises her children in a different way. You are adding to the voices those kids will hear that tell them there is another, perfectly normal and acceptable, way.

[rjy9343]

I just remembered that you have older kids. People can see that you have more than a nice sounding theory, you have results.
I also speak from experience that the child you intend to parent is very different from the child you do parent. So much of what you think you will do is nothing like what you end up doing.

[MegMarch]

Here, perhaps this will cheer you, MoS
I got to tell a teen church nursery volunteer about gentle parenting yesterday. We were visiting the in-law's church and I took DD to the nursery to play. While visiting with the volunteer, she mentioned that she didn't know how she could be a mom because she couldn't imagine spanking a child since it bothered her so much to even discipline in babysitting scenarios. I told her that we don't spank or do other punishments and talked about what we do (try again, role playing, taking breaks, etc) and how I felt like that was closer to how God deals with us. The message in service was the one about the two brothers and the vineyard and which obeyed the father. The volunteer said she'd never heard of that idea before and that it was brilliant. So it was kind of neat to be able to share with her some of what I learned from mamas here

[Ravenzmama]

Good job speaking up! You planted a seed and hopefully with maturity they'll see the light. As someone who was beaten as a child, I am thankful for people who do speak up. A lady spoke to me when I was younger and it had an impact. I am sure your words will too.