Holding the Line—with Our Kids, Ourselves, and Everyone Else
PARENTreads Issue No. 4: Essays on thoughtful discipline, healthy boundaries, and the messy but worthwhile work of staying connected
Discipline and boundaries are among the most challenging parts of parenting—not because we don’t care, but because they ask us to hold both love and limits at the same time. And those limits don’t stop with our kids. They extend to our partners, families, schools, and even the expectations that tug at us daily. This edition of PARENTreads gathers essays that go beyond punishment and permissiveness to explore the deeper work of teaching, guiding, and staying connected through conflict—while also honoring the boundaries parents need to stay grounded, steady, and present in every part of life.
✨ Featured Writer
Anna Borle writes Tender & True, where motherhood meets advocacy. She shares heartfelt stories and reflections on raising her son Theo, who was born with a limb difference — exploring inclusion, identity, grief, and the beauty tucked inside everyday moments.
The Power of Hate, the Impact of Kindness
Hatred wounds deeply; kindness heals. This essay explores how cruelty leaves lasting scars, while small acts of compassion and understanding restore connection and dignity.
» Read the full essay here
🔦 Spotlight Essays
When “Balanced” Means Less Effective: The parallel paths of literacy and parenting – by Dr. Katie Davis | TeenSights
I compare balanced literacy and low-demand parenting, arguing that both favor nice-sounding ideas over proven methods. Evidence-based approaches like phonics and authoritative parenting work better for teaching essential skills.
» Read the full essay here
The 3 Components of Upholding Your Boundaries When Your Teenager Pushes Back – by Lori K Walters | Peace in My Parenting
Faced with boundaries, teenagers are excellent debaters, sweet-talkers, relentless complainers, and scathing blamers. Here’s how to stay steady in yourself, uphold what’s most important to you, and create a space where your hearts can still stay close.
» Read the full essay here
📌 Editor’s Picks
12 Best Discipline Tools Every Parent Should Know (That Actually Work) - by Michael Grose | Parenting Toolbox
Evidence-backed strategies to raise emotionally intelligent, resilient kids—without yelling or punishment.
» Read here
Tuesday Tip: Your kids DO need to hear no - by Brittany Podsobinski | Calm & Confident Parenting
Struggling with boundaries? This post breaks down when to say no - with real scripts that work. No more feeling like the mean parent - boundaries actually show love!
» Read here
Divesting from Doing Other People’s Work - by Ryan Rose Weaver (she/hers) | In Tending
While setting boundaries with our children matters for their well-being, this post turns the lens inward—on using self-compassion meditation to build better boundaries with other adults.
» Read here
Is ‘F* Around and Find Out’ Really the ‘Anti-Gentle Parenting?’ by Derek Moeller-Smith | Paternal Progress
A thoughtful take on FAFO vs. gentle parenting, why quick consequences appeal, where they go too far, and how one family strikes a balance between boundaries and emotional connection.
» Read here
What a Preteen’s Playlist Revealed About Discipline - by Rachael Fritz | Parenting on Mars
Discipline that shames backfires. Here, I share a story about a battle for the car radio and a counterintuitive solution that actually works!
» Read here
If Only I’d Known This When He Was Younger - by Kate Lynch | Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents
When autistic kids struggle, outsiders often judge what they don’t understand. This raw, honest post explores meltdowns, generational pressure, and the power of repair.
» Read here
The Most Important Parenting Strategy - by Amber Adrian | One Tired Mother
The early years of parenting are stressful. Yet, they’re very formative for a child’s sense of self. What’s a parent to do? Enter the gospel of repair.
» Read here
✨ Do you have a favorite essay on this subject? Drop it in the comments—share why it resonated and include the link so others can find it too.
PARENTreads combines editor-selected essays with a few sponsored placements that support the digest.
School, Learning, and Everything in Between
No two kids learn the same way—and education isn’t what it used to be. Between shifting methodologies, new technology, and the growing rise of alternative and home-based learning, parents today are rethinking what “school” even means. This edition of
Raising Kids in a Wired World
Screens are woven into nearly every part of family life—from phones and gaming to homework and social media. This edition of PARENTreads gathers essays on the push and pull of technology: how it shapes our kids, challenges us as parents, and creates new opportunities for connection (and disconnection).
When Mental Health Hits Home
Parenting often means carrying both our children’s struggles and our own. This edition of PARENTreads features essays on mental health and emotional well-being, for both kids and parents.
Thank you so much, Erin, for including me in this edition of PARENTreads — it’s an honour to be featured alongside such thoughtful, grounded voices.
Boundaries are tender work. They hold the line and hold space — for our children, our relationships, and ourselves. I’m grateful to be part of this conversation 🤍
I love when you do these. This is truly a gold mine and such a valuable resource to reference back to as things crop up in parenting. ❤️ What a collection of wisdom!