I love using the word RADICAL when I talk about connection in parenting. According to google, the Latin derivative for radical is “root.” It’s more commonly held meaning is to “go against the grain.” Radical connection is a concept that deserves recognition. 

This type of parenting is natural + intuitive when we are parenting from a healed place ourselves. Connection really is at the “root” or core of all healthy relationships. Brené Brown—one of my favourite gurus—defines connection as “the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

Connection in parenting is also radical because it’s not the norm. Look around at common-place parenting tactics and you’ll find a lot of “You just need to be firmer with him”, “You let her get away with too much”, “Have you tried a reward system?”. 

Most advice comes from the idea that we should be forcing our children into behaving how we want them to. Discipline is often perceived as rewards and punishments. It’s lost its original meaning, which comes from the Latin ‘discipulus’ or “a recipient of learning”. In other situations, outside of parenting, we think of teaching as inspiring, leading, connecting—showing our pupils the way through teaching and guidance, not through coercion or force.