🌟 What Makes a Parent Strict?
Plus, our favorite screen-free subscription boxes for 2025.
Jed Baker
August 24, 2025
In partnership with
🌟 TRENDING
What Age Should a Child Get a Phone?
Figuring out the right age for a child’s first phone is one of the biggest parenting questions today. While many kids start asking early, the real decision comes down to maturity, responsibility, and how ready they are to handle the online world. Experts suggest that waiting until the early teen years gives kids time to build stronger social and emotional skills before adding the responsibility of a smartphone. For parents, it’s about balancing safety, independence, and connection with the realities of screen time.
Families can also set the stage by discussing expectations well before the phone ever arrives. Conversations about boundaries, online etiquette, and tech-free time at home help kids understand that a smartphone is a tool, not a toy. Click below as we break down the signs of readiness and what you should keep in mind before making the call (no pun intended)...
Big investors are buying this “unlisted” stock
When the founder who sold his last company to Zillow for $120M starts a new venture, people notice. That’s why the same VCs who backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also invested in Pacaso.
Disrupting the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties, revamping the $1.3T vacation home market.
And it works. By handing keys to 2,000+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history.
Now, after 41% YoY gross profit growth last year alone, they recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
🌟 PARENTING
What Makes a Parent Strict? Exploring the Psychology Behind Tough Love
This question often surfaces in online discussions, and it resonates deeply. Many people wonder why some parents default to strictness—enforcing rules and discipline—when others lean toward warmth, encouragement, and empathy.
One Reddit commenter captured a common sentiment:
“Love them, nurture them... strict parenting often leads to anxious students who are unhappy.”
There’s a psychological framework called authoritarian parenting—one of the classic parenting styles—characterized by high demands but low responsiveness. Rules are rigid, explanations are rare, and obedience is paramount. Parents often lean on punishment rather than guidance.
Why Do Some Parents Lean Toward Strictness?
Upbringing as a Blueprint
Many parents replicate what they experienced growing up. Harsh discipline can feel like the "standard" even when it's not ideal.Belief in Structure and Preparedness
Some hold the conviction that strictness builds resilience—triggering survival skills for navigating a harsh world. The “strict father model” emphasizes rules, consequences, and self-reliance as preparation for adulthood.Cultural Traditions and Values
In collectivist societies, discipline may be tied to social cohesion and respect; methods like shaming or comparison may carry positive intent, shaping behavior within cultural norms.
What Does Research Say About the Impacts?
While strict parenting can yield short-term compliance and academic order, its downsides are significant:
Children may struggle with independence, critical thinking, and self-esteem.
It may heighten stress, anxiety, and diminish a child's emotional connection to their parents.
Extreme forms, like “tiger parenting,” often emphasize achievement over emotional support and may lead to mental health concerns such as depression or self-worth issues.
A Canadian study found that kids from authoritarian households had a higher risk of obesity—strict rules around behavior can unintentionally make forbidden treats more enticing. TIME
Is There a Balanced Alternative?
Absolutely. Authoritative parenting merges firmness with warmth—setting clear boundaries while offering support, explanations, and understanding. It consistently ranks as the most beneficial style for long-term child development.
What Do You Think?
This topic touches on personal stories, cultural legacies, and deeply held beliefs about upbringing. Have you seen these dynamics play out in your family or community? What shaped those parenting styles—culture, personal history, or something else? And have you seen or tried approaches that struck a healthier balance?
🌟 SCREEN/LIFE BALANCE
The Best Screen‑Free Subscription Boxes for Kids in 2025
Subscription boxes for kids are popping up everywhere, promising a fresh mix of toys, books, and activities delivered straight to your doorstep. For busy parents, they can be a great way to introduce variety and spark creativity without spending hours hunting for something new. From STEAM experiment kits to craft projects, storytime bundles, or even hands-on cultural activities, there’s a box for nearly every interest and age group, making it easy to tailor the experience to your child.
But the convenience comes with trade-offs. Some boxes pile up faster than kids can use them, others feel more like novelty than long-term value, and subscription fees can add up quickly. Choosing the right option is about finding a balance between fun, learning, and practicality for your family’s lifestyle. Here are our favorites for 2025 along with the benefits, drawbacks, and tips for making the smartest choice before you commit
🌟 TLDR
Millie Bobby Brown and Husband Jake Bongiovi Welcome First Baby Together via Adoption — The young couple joyfully announced their adoption of a baby girl this summer, calling it a deeply meaningful next chapter in parenthood.
How 1990s Nostalgia Is Shaping Today’s Parenting: VHS, Board Games & Boredom — With the chaos of modern parenting so overwhelming, families are turning back to simpler, analog traditions—from board games to VHS movie nights—to foster connection and calm.
Gen X Parents Are Quietly Winning at No‑Drama, Chill Parenting — A retro wave of parenting is emerging: unlike the performative or hyperstructured trends, Gen X parents favor low-key, emotionally available styles that support resilience and independence—without the showmanship.
Parents Are Exhausted by the Digital Demands of Modern Parenting — From constant screen monitoring to social media pressure, many parents are feeling worn down—and experts are calling for strategies that simplify tech habits and prioritize family well-being.
Kate Middleton Is 'Consistently Present' at School Sports—and It’s Being Praised as 'Amazing' — A fellow school mom says the Princess of Wales never misses a beat when it comes to supporting George, Charlotte, and Louis at their games—showing how being quietly present can be the most impactful parenting move.
