This week I posted three really positive grooves and one dealing with a negative theme — “I’m Not A Frog-Boiler” — which led one reader to unsubscribe and share the following feedback...

“Sometimes [The Daily Groove] is framed in a way that feels judgemental of parents who don’t already share your approach...”

She was right! That post is one of several grooves I’ve written to help parents who are new to PATH Parenting stay the course despite criticism from the mainstream. When others try to make you wrong, you may need to reinforce your choices by affirming that they are mistaken, not you.

That’s not a very enlightened position because it tends to “otherize” those mainstream parents. However, I think a bit of othering is necessary to embolden some parents to leave the herd. The trick is letting go of the us/them mindset as soon as possible. Ultimately all judgment must be dropped if we want the spirit of partnership to extend not only to our kids but to other parents as well.

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