What if some of the parenting advice you’ve been given was completely wrong?

Richard Glover has spent years digging through Australian parenting manuals, government advice and expert recommendations from the past 100 years. What he found is funny, disturbing and surprisingly reassuring.

From being told not to cuddle a crying baby to warnings that praise would make children arrogant, Richard reveals how generations of parents were taught to ignore their instincts. He also explains why looking back at parenting history can help us stop chasing every new expert theory and trust ourselves a little more.

KEY POINTS
Why parents were once told not to cuddle crying babies
How government parenting advice shaped generations of Australian families
Why harsh parenting keeps coming back in new forms
What history can teach us about today's parenting trends
Why parents can be more forgiving of their own childhood experiences
The simple things children actually need: love, stability and age-appropriate limits

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Children need stability, a sense of order, a sense of rules, and they need a lot of love.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

How to Ruin a Child by Richard Glover

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Be wary of extreme parenting advice that promises one perfect way to raise children.
Trust your instincts when something feels wrong.
Give your children clear, age-appropriate boundaries alongside plenty of love.
Remember that you don't have to get parenting perfect to raise a perfectly decent human being.

What if some of the parenting advice you&rsquo;ve been given was completely wrong?
Richard Glover has spent years digging through Australian parenting manuals, government advice and expert recommendations from the past 100 years. What he found is funny, disturbing and surprisingly reassuring.
From being told not to cuddle a crying baby to warnings that praise would make children arrogant, Richard reveals how generations of parents were taught to ignore their instincts. He also explains why looking back at parenting history can help us stop chasing every new expert theory and trust ourselves a little more.
KEY POINTS
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Why parents were once told not to cuddle crying babies</li>
<li>How government parenting advice shaped generations of Australian families</li>
<li>Why harsh parenting keeps coming back in new forms</li>
<li>What history can teach us about today's parenting trends</li>
<li>Why parents can be more forgiving of their own childhood experiences</li>
<li>The simple things children actually need: love, stability and age-appropriate limits</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Children need stability, a sense of order, a sense of rules, and they need a lot of love.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<a href="https://www.harryhartog.com.au/products/how-to-ruin-a-child-richard-glover-9780733344435">How to Ruin a Child</a> by Richard Glover
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Be wary of extreme parenting advice that promises one perfect way to raise children.</li>
<li>Trust your instincts when something feels wrong.</li>
<li>Give your children clear, age-appropriate boundaries alongside plenty of love.</li>
<li>Remember that you don't have to get parenting perfect to raise a perfectly decent human being.</li>
</ul>

Deciding which parenting advice to follow? Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast.

Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.

From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

Deciding which parenting advice to follow?&nbsp;Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia&rsquo;s most downloaded parenting podcast.
Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.
From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

How to Ruin a Child [with Richard Glover]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/7255411f-0b72-4f6d-830e-b4dc003881bf/transcript