I'm parenting my kids differently from how I was raised. I don't want them to fear me, but instead trust me.

The author is parenting her kids differently to how she was parented.

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• I parented my kids differently from how I was raised.
• I chose open conversations over fear and punishment.
• Being called a loose parent was worth it for our relationship.

Growing up, the grandparents who raised me were a generation removed from me, and because of it, I never felt like I could go to them with real issues or problems.

I hid the deep and dark stuff because children were to be seen and not heard.