Publications
It seems that TikTok, the video-focused social networking service, is no longer a teen platform for choreographed dances.
Since the rise in popularity of TikTok amid global Coronavirus lockdowns, the social media platform has been increasingly used as a space for parents to share advice and gain advice from parenting experts or other relatable parents.
Parents can be found using their social media accounts to share their parenting tips and tricks about everything from breastfeeding to practical tools on how to embrace gentle parenting as a parenting style.
Also see: 'What were my parents like? Controlling': Former 'leash kids' share how child leashes affected them
The growing TikTok parenting phenomenon
With the growing TikTok demographic, 60% of TikTok users were reportedly between the ages of 18 and 49 in October 2021, meaning that an older demographic has begun to embrace the social media platform.
Some of this space has been taken up by parents who are using the platform to create unfiltered and personal content to help others by giving them a glimpse into their world.
With a little bit of humour, creativity and sound advice, the growing community of TikTok parents are using social media to help one another and talk openly about their parenting experiences and struggles with a particular parenting style leading the conversation.
The gentle parents of TikTok
Gentle parenting is a parenting approach that encourages a partnership between you and your child to make life choices based on their willingness instead of parental pressures.
TikTok parents such as Marcella Collier (@maartemami), a self-proclaimed "recovering tiger mom", Destini Ann (@destini.ann) who is a big proponent for "positive parenting", and parent coach Rachael Rogers (@rachlynnrogers) are among the many TikTok parents, driving and encouraging the growing gentle parenting movement.
@destini.ann 3 things I never say to my kids ! #positiveparent #momtips #mominspiration #adviceformoms #peacefulparenting #parenttips ? original sound - Destini Ann
"This style of parenting is rooted in the truth that children are people too, deserving of respect, and that all behaviour is communication. It gives them the freedom to feel whatever they're feeling without judgement, without correction or reprimand and it focuses heavily on the child's developmental stage. It also offers reasonable boundaries and consequences," says Rachael Rogers.
'The point of parenting is to do your best'
These gentle parenting advocates use their large reach to educate parents about the impact of gentle parenting and to encourage parents who might be struggling with their children's behaviour.
@rachlynnrogers #toddlertip #toddlertips #toddlermom #parentinghacks #parentingdoneright #parenting #parentingtips #momhack #dadhacks #momsoftiktok #dadsoftiktok ? original sound - Rachael Rogers
Most importantly, however, these TikTok parents use their voice to remind struggling parents that "the point of parenting is to do your best", and not to be too hard on themselves.
"I found some amazing resources for my own home, I started sharing them online and I have now helped hundreds of thousands of moms just like you create peace in their homes," says Rogers.
Chatback:
Share your stories and questions with us via email at chatback@parent24.com. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
Don't miss a story!
For a weekly wrap of our latest parenting news and advice sign up to our free Friday Parent24 newsletter.
