'F*ck Around and Find Out' Parenting Is Trending… Should You Try It?

from After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

This week, The Wall Street Journal declared the death of gentle parenting and the rise of “F*ck Around and Find Out” discipline. One mom proudly threw her teenager, fully clothed, into a pond for spraying her with a water gun. Another claimed, “My kid is tougher than yours.” The internet is eating it up. Gentle parenting is getting dragged. FAFO parenting is trending. And if you’re a parent in 2025? You’re probably wondering: What actually works?In this episode, we cut through the noise with the science. You’ll learn:• What the WSJ article got right - and what it missed• The truth about authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative parenting• Why fear-based parenting shuts down your child’s brain• How to raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids without swinging to extremesNo hot takes. No TikTok drama. Just decades of research turned into real-life parenting you can actually do that builds better behavior and long term resilience.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Get 40% off your first order of Sundays by going to sundaysfordogs.com/BLF or use code BLF at checkout.Visit Quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Visit fromourplace.com/BLF and use code BLF for 10% off sitewide!LMNT is offering a free 8-count Sample Pack of their most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/BEDTIME to get yours!Get an additional 15% off a Fatty15 90-Day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/BLF and using code BLF at checkout.Get 25% off of your first month at ritual.com/FEELINGS. Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What this episode covers

This week, The Wall Street Journal declared the death of gentle parenting and the rise of “F*ck Around and Find Out” discipline. One mom proudly threw her teenager, fully clothed, into a pond for spraying her with a water gun. Another claimed, “My kid is tougher than yours.” The internet is eating it up. Gentle parenting is getting dragged. FAFO parenting is trending. And if you’re a parent in 2025? You’re probably wondering: What actually works?In this episode, we cut through the noise with the science. You’ll learn:• What the WSJ article got right - and what it missed• The truth about authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative parenting• Why fear-based parenting shuts down your child’s brain• How to raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids without swinging to extremesNo hot takes. No TikTok drama. Just decades of research turned into real-life parenting you can actually do that builds better behavior and long term resilience.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Get 40% off your first order of Sundays by going to sundaysfordogs.com/BLF or use code BLF at checkout.Visit Quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Visit fromourplace.com/BLF and use code BLF for 10% off sitewide!LMNT is offering a free 8-count Sample Pack of their most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase. Get yours at DrinkLMNT.com/BEDTIME to get yours!Get an additional 15% off a Fatty15 90-Day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/BLF and using code BLF at checkout.Get 25% off of your first month at ritual.com/FEELINGS. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.