A Nigerian woman has criticised what she described as an unhealthy interpretation of “gentle parenting” after claiming that a child took a drink from her bag at a mall in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The woman shared her experience online, alleging that the incident happened while she was shopping at the mall yesterday.
According to her, she had gone to the mall to purchase an item while carrying snacks and drinks in her bag. She said she left the bag briefly while approaching a counter to get something.
When she turned around, she reportedly saw a child drinking from one of the beverages in her bag.
The woman said she initially assumed the drink belonged to the child but later realised that it was hers and had been taken from her bag.
She alleged that the child’s mother was present during the incident but did not offer an apology. According to her account, the mother only asked the child repeatedly, “Is it yours? Is it yours?”
The experience reportedly left the woman questioning how some parents interpret gentle parenting, particularly when it comes to teaching children boundaries, respect for other people’s belongings and accountability for their actions.
“A lot of wealthy people are doing h@rm to their kids all in the name of ‘gentle parenting’, but they don’t know,” she said while recounting the incident.
Her comments have sparked discussion about the difference between gentle parenting and permissive parenting, with many arguing that teaching children emotional regulation and avoiding harsh punishment does not mean allowing inappropriate behaviour to go unchecked.
Others, however, noted that one encounter may not be enough to determine a parent’s overall approach to raising a child.
The account remains the woman’s version of the incident, and the identities of the child and parent involved have not been disclosed.
