The Balanced Family

16 Old School Parenting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Pt. 2)

The Balanced Family

In Part 2 of our deep dive into old-school parenting, we’re looking at the darker side of traditional methods—what didn’t age well, what created wounds, and why some things need to be left in the past.


From emotional distance to the overuse of fear and shame, we explore how certain “tough love” tactics may have built grit—but often at the cost of connection and relationship.


This isn’t about blaming past generations or glorifying the present—it’s about finding truth in the nuance.


In this episode, we unpack:

- The downsides of authoritarian parenting and emotional suppression
- Why some kids grew up tough but disconnected
- The danger of equating achievement with worth
- How we as parents can be strong and firm while also nurturing and relational

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