7 Weird, Not-So Weird, & Super Weird Parenting Techniques and Trends

Are you sometimes worried that you haven’t done your homework when it comes to familiarizing yourself with some of the most popular parenting techniques out there?

Can’t resist putting in your two cents on the mommy blog forums when it comes to controversial parenting topics?

Do you sometimes feel like some of the parenting methods that you’ve seen other parents using are just, well, plain weird?

If so, then you need to keep on reading this post.

In it, we’ve created a weird-o-meter of some of the most bizarre — and not so bizarre — parenting theories out there.

By the end of this post, you’ll probably realize that the hacks you use to get yourself through the task of raising a child really aren’t so strange at all.

Not So Weird Parenting Techniques

First up on our weird-o-meter, let’s take a quick look at some of the parenting techniques that you’ve probably heard of.

These are both parenting theories and general learning methods, and the truth is that there’s really nothing odd about them.

In fact, perhaps you’re even in the process of considering trying a few of these techniques out on your own children!

If so, keep on reading to learn more about them.

1. Montessori School

The Montessori method is now one of the most common trends in early childhood education and development.

It’s a way to encourage your child to learn, play, and become more independent and discover what they love of their own accord. It also focuses on developing multiple parts of the child at once.

They’ll develop their social skills, get used to the physicality of their body and work on motor skills, and process cognitive and emotional situations.

Usually, peer-to-peer learning is encouraged, and multiple age groups may be in the same classroom. Children will work for longer blocks of time, but will usually choose between different types of activities.

The classroom space is uniquely structured, and Montessori toys like sticks, puzzles, blocks, shapes, and math games will fill the room.

The parents of a child, the child themselves, the other children in the room, and of course, the teacher, will all work together to foster a love of learning and a sense of personal fulfillment in the child.

Montessori learning is also focused on instilling the child with the sense and experience to make their own choices.

2. The Ferber Method

The idea behind the Ferber Method was actually among the most controversial parenting topics when it was first introduced.

Essentially, this style of parenting of toddlers, babies, and younger children is all about the idea of allowing children to “self-soothe.” That means if a baby is crying, then you shouldn’t immediately rush to put it at ease.

As you can imagine, this sort of thing can be difficult for parents — especially helicopter parents in the making!

However, the Ferber method doesn’t mean you should let the baby cry all night. It just means that you should take more time properly preparing the child for bed and that it’s important to wait as long as possible before picking it up or interfering in another way.

You’ll gradually leave the baby alone for longer periods of time so that there’s no kind of harsh adjustment for the child.

Now, it’s an incredibly popular parenting method — perhaps your parents even used it on you!

3. Attachment Parenting

By contrast to the Ferber method, attachment parenting means that you should remain as physically close to your baby as is possible for longer periods of time.

This often means that you’ll hold the baby next to your chest in a sling (whether you’re the mother or a father.) It also means that the baby may sleep in bed with you.

This is sometimes referred to as co-sleeping.

The idea is that the mother or father — especially the mother — is more in tune with the needs of the baby based on a mother’s intuition and the child’s time in the womb.

This means the mother can engage in “babyreading” — a kind of sixth sense.

Breastfeeding the baby is an especially crucial part of attachment parenting, as is establishing skin-to-skin contact between mother and child as immediately after birth as is possible.

Pretty Weird Methods

Now, let’s move onto some of the parenting methods that have garnered their fair share of criticism from mommy bloggers and even parenting/medical professionals alike.

Remember that, although these parenting techniques may be controversial, or even just a bit weird, in the end, it’s what works for you and your child that’s important.

If you’re willing to deal with a few raised eyebrows from time to time, then you may want to give these parenting theories a try.

4. Long-term Breastfeeding

In 2012, Time Magazine ran a controversial cover that showed a mother breastfeeding her son — who was three years old at the time.

As you might have expected, the photograph lit social media on fire. Everyone had an opinion on whether or not extended breastfeeding was healthy — or even normal.

Many people who have tried to for themselves say that it helps children to get more nutrients, in particular, healthy fats, calcium, and even Vitamin A. Additionally, it can also give the toddlers a serious boost to their immune system and their brain development in general.

It’s not only good for the children.

Many people think it’s also beneficial for the mothers who do it. Some say it can even lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.

So go ahead, breastfeed past the first year.

5. Adopting a French Parenting Style

Sure, all parents dream of taking their children on a stunning trip to Paris, France.

But how do they really feel about the French parenting style?

In the end, it all depends on who you’re asking.

The basics of the French parenting child are somewhat similar to what many American families might call “free range parenting.” Essentially, this means that you let your child find ways to entertain themselves and that you refrain from watching them like a hawk.

You don’t hover over them at the playground, instead focuses on encouraging them to interact with other children around them.

And if your child does something good?

You don’t shower them with gifts, attention, and excessive affection.

Instead, you more what for what they’re doing incorrectly. And once you notice that? You focus on punishing them and revoking privileges.

Controversial Parenting Topics and Techniques

The final section of our post deals with some of the most controversial parenting topics out there today.

In general, we can’t say that we advise trying these out for yourself.

However, things like this are awesome to read when you worry that you’re really failing as a parent. When you compare yourself to the people using these parenting methods, you’ll realize you’re doing just fine!

6. Kids on Leashes

Have you ever been to a theme park and spotted a parent toting around their child on a leash?

If so, then we’re willing to bet that you felt a tinge of anger and frustration towards that parent.

When strollers, scooters, or even just holding a child’s hand are still great options, there’s really no need for a leash.

Not only does this make you look out of shape and like an unfit parent, it can also end in you accidentally hurting the child.

Leave the leash at home — for good.

7. Telling Kids Too Much

Some parents still seem stuck on the idea that children are nothing more than “little adults.”

And although it’s always a smart move to teach your child about the realities of life, there is such a thing as too much information.

Still, many parents talk to their children about adult and frightening topics, like nuclear war and yes, even the frequency of school shootings, from far too young of an age.

The goal of any parent should be to preserve the innocence of a child for as long as is safe and appropriate.

While some conversations can’t be avoided, you don’t need to tell your child everything before they’re ready to hear it.

Which of These Parenting Techniques Would You Try?

We hope that this post on some of the strangest, most effective, and even the most controversial parenting techniques has reminded you that, when it comes to being a parent, there’s really no such thing as normal.

Can’t get enough of all things weird? From the history of Bingo to some of the strangest fashion trends in the world, we know that our website will be your new favorite place. Keep visiting back with us to inject a little oddness into your life!

Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?