Attachment parenting has led to the closely related “gentle parenting” movement, which, believes that when children misbehave, they should be corrected with calm explanations and cuddles rather than raised voices or punishment. On the other hand, gentle parenting gets stick if people see children misbehaving in public and believe they are going completely undisciplined. Ockwell-Smith says gentle parenting was being maligned unfairly. Michelle McHale, who founded Attachment Parenting UK, which runs courses for parents, said the term gentle parenting can be misleading. “People misunderstand it as permissive parenting.”Ockwell Smith adds: “You will find gentle parents throughout civilisation.

Source: Punch February 27, 2026 11:23 UTC