16 Old School Parenting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Pt. 2)
04/15/25 • 41 min
In Part 2 of our deep dive into old-school parenting, we’re looking at the darker side of traditional methods—what didn’t age well, what created wounds, and why some things need to be left in the past.
From emotional distance to the overuse of fear and shame, we explore how certain “tough love” tactics may have built grit—but often at the cost of connection and relationship.
This isn’t about blaming past generations or glorifying the present—it’s about finding truth in the nuance.
In this episode, we unpack:
The downsides of authoritarian parenting and emotional suppression
- Why some kids grew up tough but disconnected
- The danger of equating achievement with worth
- How we as parents can be strong and firm while also nurturing and relational
Become an informed, inspired, and confident parent through our courses, live events, and vibrant online community: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/
In Part 2 of our deep dive into old-school parenting, we’re looking at the darker side of traditional methods—what didn’t age well, what created wounds, and why some things need to be left in the past.
From emotional distance to the overuse of fear and shame, we explore how certain “tough love” tactics may have built grit—but often at the cost of connection and relationship.
This isn’t about blaming past generations or glorifying the present—it’s about finding truth in the nuance.
In this episode, we unpack:
The downsides of authoritarian parenting and emotional suppression
- Why some kids grew up tough but disconnected
- The danger of equating achievement with worth
- How we as parents can be strong and firm while also nurturing and relational
Become an informed, inspired, and confident parent through our courses, live events, and vibrant online community: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/
Previous Episode
15 Old School Parenting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Pt. 1)
What did old-school parenting get right—and what are we missing today because of it?
In Part 1 of this conversation, we take a deep dive into the values that shaped past generations: discipline, grit, respect, and good old-fashioned hard work. We talk about how kids used to be expected to pull their weight, take risks, and build resilience—and how those expectations helped shape character and achievement.
But here’s the tension:
The American Dream used to be built on hustle. Now, it often feels like it’s built on avoiding trauma and chasing personal fulfillment. Have we lost something in the shift?
In this episode, we cover:
- Why structure, boundaries, and consequences created safer, more grounded kids
- How grit and responsibility were once non-negotiables
- The role of respect and authority in shaping community
- What’s changed in how we view work, purpose, and success
- The danger of either romanticizing the past or thinking we’ve outgrown it
This is a conversation about values, not just parenting styles—and why many of us are still wrestling with which traditions to hold onto and which to leave behind.
Part 2 drops next week—we’ll dive into the bad and the ugly side of old-school parenting. Don’t miss it!
Become an informed, inspired, and confident parent through our courses, live events, and vibrant online community: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/
Next Episode
17 Our First Birth Story
We’re taking it all the way back to where it started—our first birth story!
In this episode, we share what it was like doing a natural birth at a birthing center, having a midwife, and what we wished we knew beforehand.
From signs of early labor to hospital transfer, avoiding the cascade of interventions, and the emotional rollercoaster of delivery - this story is honest, unfiltered, and packed with lessons we didn’t even know we needed at the time.
Warning: if you're currently pregnant and want to protect your peace of mind you may NOT want to listen because this birth was a bit traumatic in a few ways. However, this is still a beautiful story about finding joy when things don't pan out the way you expect, which is an important part of becoming a balanced family.
In fact, it was this story that planted the seed in our hearts to become content creators.
Become an informed, inspired, and confident parent through our courses, live events, and vibrant online community: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/
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