I’m a strict parent and I don’t care what others may think. But, is it okay to be an extreme parent? Bravo’s new series, “Extreme Guide to Parenting,” tackles the subject.
Cameras follow nine households who share their child-rearing techniques that may have some folks scratching their heads.
One couple forces their child to get involved in multiple sports, while overprotective gay parents Scout and Bill Masterson-Horn of Los Angeles, refuses to allow their toddler any independence. Each family’s parenting style is debatable. But some may consider anti-vaccine proponent Christian Axness of Sarasota, Florida the epitome of extreme parenting.
Axness is six months pregnant with her second child. According to the New York Post, she is an advocate for extended breast-feeding, placenta pills and so-called “elimination communication,” a controversial (and messy) potty-training technique for babies which dispenses with diapers.
“Parents need to totally change their lives to accommodate the child. We believe in being everything for the child,” Axness, 28, tells The Post.
When it comes to parenting, I totally agree with changing my lifestyle for the sake of kids. Some people think I fall into the extreme parenting category because I refuse to let my preschooler go on school field trips, but I beg to differ. I’m all about showing tough love, exercising caution, and encouraging my kids to try new things in life.
I recently sighed Princess up for dance. But at one point, she wasn’t enjoying it as much as previous weeks. Rather than force her to attend, I simply asked if she wanted to continue. She said, “yes” which was great. But if she said no, that would have been okay too.
I’m also an advocate for breastfeeding. In fact, I nursed my daughter for two years, and I’m currently doing the same with my one-year-old son. But, there is such a thing as “over the top.” There’s no way I’d ever nurse an older child. I would hate for my kids to grow up resenting me. I’ve seen friends who rebel the minute they go off to college because they had no idea what to do with their newfound freedom.
What are you thoughts on this series?