₦airaland Forum

How do people do this gentle parenting thing?🤦
Because honestly, I haven’t even started and I’m already raising my voice!🙆

I’ve had to stop Baby Light so many times from unintentionally hurting her cat.
Sometimes I’m screaming for the cat’s safety, other times, for my daughter’s.

Wherever you find Baby Light and Kitty together, just know that some rough play is about to begin.
They’re inseparable—even when I try to keep them apart.
But Light can get a bit too rough, and I often find myself yelling—not out of anger, but from panic.
I have a fearless daughter who sees loud noises as music.
Sounds that should startle most kids? Baby Light hears them and starts dancing, smiling wide like it's a celebration.

Some people say I share stories about my family for attention.
That made me laugh.
The truth? I use Nairaland as an archive.
I've even recovered lost images from it before.

I still wonder why some people are so quick to judge and downgrade others.
But I guess that's how they are.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpbafVmjSSA

Parenting is fun! It’s a novel.

If you really want to come to terms that’s it’s normal, ask your parents how you behaved as a kid and you will be amazed they took after you.

One of my aunt said to me mum in my presence that, “Is this not that boy that was still sucking breast at 4 years old”, and my mum confirmed that’s him.

I looked at myself and felt embarrassed. It was like I was asking myself how possible is that. How could I have have done that.

Parenting is fun dude. Make sure you record some moment. Those kids might try to deny when you tell them.

How you'd do it? Ask Jesus! It's all in the Bible. Do not be an Eli, and teach them to flee from the behavior of the sons of David, Delilah, or of the daughter of Herodias. As long as you don't spare the rod, as well as other biblical counsel in raising her, you'd be fine. Jesus is Lord!

Gentle parenting can be challenging...

Personally, I don't believe in gentle parenting. I don't believe when a child is misbehaving you should be smiling. You have to scold when necessary.

I'm somewhere in the middle of gentle parenting.

I'm not saying dear baby light is misbehaving o. Gosh... no I'm not. She is just dancing and having fun.

I'm just talking about the concept of gentle parenting.

But just ensure the safety of baby light.

Because me I don't trust cats around her. A cat bit my sister twice.

I don't have my own kids yet o... so I might not know much about parenting.

But l lived with my brother's kid. And the guy was a hand full. I couldn't even scold him... infact that dude was the one scolding and bullying me

I like kids and know it's my weakness Sha. So moreso my own kid.

But just ensure light is safe!

CoronaVirusPro:
Parenting is fun! It’s a novel.

If you really want to come to terms that’s it’s normal, ask your parents how you behaved as a kid and you will be amazed they took after you.

One of my aunt said to me mum in my presence that, “Is this not that boy that was still sucking breast at 4 years old”, and my mum confirmed that’s him.

I looked at myself and felt embarrassed. It was like I was asking myself how possible is that. How could I have have done that.

Parenting is fun dude. Make sure you record some moment. Those kids might try to deny when you tell them.

😂Very true!😂

I'm a Lady not a dude.

My daughter is a bully and my parents say I was so troublesome.
Till now, my Paternal Grandma calls me "Ikpo", meaning "trouble".

RevenuesBoost:
😂Very true!😂

I'm a Lady not a dude.

My daughter is a bully and my parents say I was so troublesome.
Till now, my Paternal Grandma calls me "Ikpo", meaning "trouble".

😁😄😁😄

LordIsaac:
How you'd do it? Ask Jesus! It's all in the Bible. Do not be an Eli, and teach them to flee from the behavior of the sons of David, Delilah, or of the daughter of Herodias. As long as you don't spare the rod, as well as other biblical counsel in raising her, you'd be fine. Jesus is Lord!

Okay

brain54:
Gentle parenting can be challenging...

Personally, I don't believe in gentle parenting. I don't believe when a child is misbehaving you should be smiling. You have to scold when necessary.

I'm somewhere in the middle of gentle parenting.

I'm not saying dear baby light is misbehaving o. Gosh... no I'm not. She is just dancing and having fun.

I'm just talking about the concept of gentle parenting.

But just ensure the safety of baby light.

Because me I don't trust cats around her. A cat bit my sister twice.

I don't have my own kids yet o... so I might not know much about parenting.

But l lived with my brother's kid. And the guy was a hand full. I couldn't even scold him... infact that dude was the one scolding and bullying me

I like kids and know it's my weakness Sha. So moreso my own kid.

But just ensure light is safe!

😄

Kitty just wants to be around Baby Light all day. But Baby Light is not interested in being gentle — she bullies poor Kitty non-stop.

Cats are known for their eye service, always pretending to behave when you're watching. That’s why I keep Baby Light and Kitty in separate rooms when I’m not in the mood to shout.

When I scold Light, she doesn’t get scared — she laughs! And when my husband scolds her, she gives him this fierce, lioness stare, like she’s ready to square up. Sometimes she even shouts back! 😄

This is the same baby who dances to the sound of a loud wood sawing machine. I’ve seen my sister’s kids run and hide from that sound, terrified. But not Light — she gets excited and starts dancing like it’s her favorite song.

My parents were watching the whole scene and just burst out laughing.

RevenuesBoost:
😄

Kitty just wants to be around Baby Light all day. But Baby Light is not interested in being gentle — she bullies poor Kitty non-stop.

Cats are known for their eye service, always pretending to behave when you're watching. That’s why I keep Baby Light and Kitty in separate rooms when I’m not in the mood to shout.

When I scold Light, she doesn’t get scared — she laughs! And when my husband scolds her, she gives him this fierce, lioness stare, like she’s ready to square up. Sometimes she even shouts back! 😄

This is the same baby who dances to the sound of a loud wood sawing machine. I’ve seen my sister’s kids run and hide from that sound, terrified. But not Light — she gets excited and starts dancing like it’s her favorite song.

My parents were watching the whole scene and just burst out laughing.

Interesting kid...

I'm already liking her personality!

RevenuesBoost:
😂Very true!😂

I'm a Lady not a dude.

My daughter is a bully and my parents say I was so troublesome.
Till now, my Paternal Grandma calls me "Ikpo", meaning "trouble".

You look so quiet and peaceful...

Na the last pics funny pass
The cat they look am like say Abeg no kill me 😂😂😂😂😂

Lols... Just try to understand her personality...
All humans(kids as well) have different personalities...
This one might be hyperactive lol...
So you try to learn and understand her...
Funny enough, when she is unusually quiet, you won't feel comfortable 😅😅😅...
And when she is sick and gentle and sober, you will be remembering the times that she doesn't sit one place lol and be wishing her quick recovery to continue her Ultimate Search a.k.a "Busy looking for wetin no lost"😅😅😅

brain54:
You look so quiet and peaceful...

I don't know what my Parents and Grandma are talking about.

Innocent me😇

Racheal45:
Na the last pics funny pass
The cat they look am like say Abeg no kill me 😂😂😂😂😂

😂😂

Puss360:
Lols... Just try to understand her personality...
All humans(kids as well) have different personalities...
This one might be hyperactive lol...
So you try to learn and understand her...
Funny enough, when she is unusually quiet, you won't feel comfortable 😅😅😅...
And when she is sick and gentle and sober, you will be remembering the times that she doesn't sit one place lol and be wishing her quick recovery to continue her Ultimate Search a.k.a "Busy looking for wetin no lost"😅😅😅

😄😄
True, she's hyperactive.

She has never fallen sick.

The only time she's quiet is when she's asleep.
The way she wakes up from sleep is funny, she wakes up in shock, like Gosh! I can't believe I just fell asleep! I'm supposed to be playing 😄

Overly Hyperactive Baby Light.

Baby Super Model Of Nairaland.

You can start with a cigarette lighter.

Children learn how to fear fire real fast.

Leave here, the cat love it. Once the cat bite her she all know how to plan and how not to.

DelilahMakinde:
You can start with a cigarette lighter.

Children learn how to fear fire real fast.

Baby Light No Dey Fear Fire Sha ...

She'll Rush To Want To Hold It.


Lighters Have Become Her Best Toys.

InsteadOf:
Overly Hyperactive Baby Light.

Baby Super Model Of Nairaland.

Awwwwwwww 🥰🥰❤️

The Youngest Business Woman.
Our Baby Model for Solar Generator on Nairaland

https://www.nairaland.com/8499755/meet-latest-baby-model-modeling

Thanks Darling ❤️

Small mama has retired for the night.
Play continues tomorrow.

InsteadOf:
Baby Light No Dey Fear Fire Sha ...

She'll Rush To Want To Hold It.


Lighters Have Become Her Best Toys.

Because it never burn her before...it's dangerous for a toddler not to be afraid of at least something.

Leave her that way. Na warrior spirit she get. Every child has their own natural energy

Better buy big or huge toy for her, otherwise the kitty will definitely bite her one day, and it will be dangerous, she is fearless and plays hard, look for toys that sing

She's not fearless but ignorant.
She's not aware of the dangers of having certain things come close to her. Watch her more closely please, proud dad!

RevenuesBoost:
How do people do this gentle parenting thing?🤦
Because honestly, I haven’t even started and I’m already raising my voice!🙆

I’ve had to stop Baby Light so many times from unintentionally hurting her cat.
Sometimes I’m screaming for the cat’s safety, other times, for my daughter’s.

Wherever you find Baby Light and Kitty together, just know that some rough play is about to begin.
They’re inseparable—even when I try to keep them apart.
But Light can get a bit too rough, and I often find myself yelling—not out of anger, but from panic.
I have a fearless daughter who sees loud noises as music.
Sounds that should startle most kids? Baby Light hears them and starts dancing, smiling wide like it's a celebration.

Some people say I share stories about my family for attention.
That made me laugh.
The truth? I use Nairaland as an archive.
I've even recovered lost images from it before.

I still wonder why some people are so quick to judge and downgrade others.
But I guess that's how they are.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpbafVmjSSA

Whatever you do, nurture that fearlessness into teenage years..it will be challenging, but the rewards is enormous

And it is one admin that posted this here............ . Omgg

You're doing more right than you probably realize. 🧡

What you’ve shared is raw, honest, and deeply relatable for so many parents—especially those trying to practice gentle parenting in real-time, not just in theory. It’s easy to talk about calm responses when everything’s calm. But when you're watching your fearless toddler bear-hug the family cat for the third time that day, instincts kick in—especially when safety's at stake.

Let’s unpack a few things gently, with the understanding that you’re not failing—you’re learning on the job, and that’s exactly what parenting is.

The Baby and the Cat Dynamic

What you're describing is very common. Toddlers are still learning how their bodies work, how much pressure is “too much,” and what it means to be gentle. They don't always connect cause and effect the way adults do—especially when it comes to animals.

Your daughter doesn’t mean to harm Kitty. In fact, it sounds like she loves her. But she’s still too young to regulate that love into safe behavior. That’s not a discipline issue—it’s a developmental phase.

What can help:

Model gentle touches. Show her how to stroke the cat with an open palm, saying “Soft hands.”

Narrate safety boundaries. "We keep Kitty safe with soft hands. Kitty says 'ouch' when it’s too hard."

Redirect instead of always separating. Try saying, “Let’s give Kitty a break and go play with your stuffed animals,” or offer a toy animal to "practice being gentle."


And when you need to protect the cat quickly—yes, you will raise your voice. That’s not a failure. That’s you being human.

RevenuesBoost:
How do people do this gentle parenting thing?🤦
Because honestly, I haven’t even started and I’m already raising my voice!🙆

I’ve had to stop Baby Light so many times from unintentionally hurting her cat.
Sometimes I’m screaming for the cat’s safety, other times, for my daughter’s.

Wherever you find Baby Light and Kitty together, just know that some rough play is about to begin.
They’re inseparable—even when I try to keep them apart.
But Light can get a bit too rough, and I often find myself yelling—not out of anger, but from panic.
I have a fearless daughter who sees loud noises as music.
Sounds that should startle most kids? Baby Light hears them and starts dancing, smiling wide like it's a celebration.

Some people say I share stories about my family for attention.
That made me laugh.
The truth? I use Nairaland as an archive.
I've even recovered lost images from it before.

I still wonder why some people are so quick to judge and downgrade others.
But I guess that's how they are.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpbafVmjSSA

Yelling from panic isn’t the same as yelling from anger, but your daughter likely can’t tell the difference yet. She might see your panic as just more “big energy” in the room—especially since she reacts to noise with joy. That’s actually a beautiful (if tiring) trait—she’s brave, open, and expressive. But it does mean you’ll need to get creative with how you guide her.

Try this instead:

Use a strong but low voice instead of shouting when you can. Drop your tone instead of raising it. It signals urgency without the chaos.

After things settle, reconnect with her. “That scared me because I want everyone to be safe. Let’s try again together.”

On Gentle Parenting
Gentle parenting isn’t about never raising your voice. It’s about repairing when you do. It’s about the relationship, not perfection.

It means:
Explaining what happened after the moment.

Helping your child understand big feelings.

Letting them know you’re on their side, even when correcting them.

You're already doing that. You care. You're thinking deeply. You’re telling stories, reflecting, laughing at yourself, and protecting both your daughter and her furry best friend.

You’re allowed to tell your story.
You're allowed to document your family life for yourself, not for anyone else’s approval.
You're allowed to laugh, vent, reflect, and grow—publicly or privately.

People will judge no matter what. But the ones who see you, who read your stories and think, “That’s me too,”—they're quietly grateful that you had the courage to speak up.

So, from one tired, imperfect, learning-as-we-go adult to another:

You're not doing it wrong.
You're doing it honestly.
And that’s where the real strength lies.

Keep archiving. Keep telling your truth.
Baby Light and Kitty are lucky to have you. 🧡