The Parent Pros Blake Lively Loves Share Why This Is the Worst Advice

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When it comes to parenting, the Internet is filled with plenty of big little feelings. 

Discussions about screen time limits, sleep training methods, dietary sugars, and time-outs – whatever the topic may be, you’ll find a community eager to share their perspective on your approach being incorrect.

The reason being, childhood companions Deena Margolin and Kristin Gallant leveraged their professional knowledge to establish Big Little Feelings, a highly influential parenting resource that boasts celebrities like Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, Eva Mendes, and Mandy Moore among its 3.5 million Instagram followers – this is why they avoid rigidly prescribing rules for child-rearing.

But there’s one old-school technique they’re more than willing to smack down. 

In her joint interview with TopMob News, Kristin urged strongly against physically punishing children, stating, “Many people still resort to spanking for better conduct, but there’s extensive evidence demonstrating the harm it inflicts.

A mother of three, Deena, who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist with two children, has built her career by offering advice to parents who feel they’ve reached the end of their tether.

The courses they offer, which are based on scientific evidence and easily related to, stem from the belief that children should be treated with the same level of respect as adults because they are simply smaller versions of us, human beings.

Kristin finds it slightly frustrating when people overextend an idea, as it can give permissive parenting a negative reputation overall.

Simply because she suggests that you model instead of insisting, it doesn’t imply that you’re disregarding the rules.

She clarified that you hold the reins, you guide as a leader, you take on the role of maturity, and you establish limits. Essentially, you are allowing them to feel their sorrow but not enabling them to act freely at will.

Absolutely, Deena! It seems parenting involves setting guidelines and limitations. This is essential for children as it provides a sense of security, enabling them to explore, experiment with new experiences, and take calculated risks. At the same time, it ensures they understand there’s someone who will set boundaries, provide guidance, and ultimately, keep them protected from overwhelming situations that might cause anxiety. In essence, someone is in charge of the major decisions they’re not yet ready to handle on their own.

She emphasized the significance of guiding them as they navigate feelings like disappointment, frustration, sadness, and even outbursts, which often arise when someone hears ‘no’. This process is crucial, she added.

As for the how, well, they’ve got a course for that. 

According to Deena, Big Feelers’ newest educational program is designed for children often labeled as highly sensitive, stubborn, strong-willed, or explosive. These are kids who feel things much more deeply than most others. Essentially, this is just how their nervous system functions.

They’re both raising a similar kind of child, which they consider a deeply personal endeavor, with each identifying as an empathic individual.

Deena observed, “When we teach them ways to grasp their identity and manage strong emotions in a secure manner, it brings us comfort. This leads to a reduction in their challenging behavior, fewer emotional outbursts, and it significantly improves life for the entire family.

Kristin emphasized, “To nurture tomorrow’s innovators, artists, and visionaries, we must keep their passion burning, not smother it. However, it’s time for rest now.

Speaking of that nightly endeavor, the duo are releasing some IRL tools as well. 

The Fisher-Price and Big Little Feelings partnership offers a line of play sets and learning resources aimed at assisting children in various areas such as bedtime routines, sharing toys, potty training, and managing emotions like tantrums.

Deena stated, “Children tend to learn most effectively when they’re engaged in play,” emphasizing the importance of addressing complex parental challenges in a manner that aligns with their developmental stages.

As an utterly devoted fan, I’m always on the lookout for strategies that can help me and my little ones navigate life’s stressful situations with grace. And here’s one I simply adore: finding a solid surface to lean against. This simple act seems to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, providing a calming effect. Plus, I have this peculiar habit of inhaling deeply from something potent when things get heated – it works like a charm for me!

But their biggest gift is the reminder that you’ve got this. 

The question that parents are asked most often is a concern like, “Am I botching this whole parenting thing?” Kristin observed. Essentially, it’s questions such as, “I’ve been so tired I let them spend lots of time on screens. Have I irreversibly harmed them?”, or “I lost my temper today and yelled at them. Did I damage them permanently?

As a committed supporter who values the wisdom shared here, I’d like to clarify: It’s highly unlikely, particularly given our focus on parenting guidance, that you’ve irreparably botched things up. Excluding extreme cases like child abuse, your efforts in nurturing and guiding are generally appreciated.

Deena acknowledged, “We all reach our breaking points.” She also confessed about having days when she feels like swearing off taking kids to the park altogether.

When it comes to being a parent, it’s far from a walk in the park. However, during those challenging times, she emphasized the importance of admitting your mistakes. In other words, when you slip up, just own it.

She clarified that “repair” serves as the primary instrument for transforming lives. It aids individuals in understanding and accepting that they are not to blame for whatever occurred.

For parents, that’s as simply as apologizing to your kids once things get heated.  

Kristin explained that saying, “‘Hey, remember when I was upset earlier? You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry and I’ll work on it,’ will make them feel better because they won’t think, ‘I must have done something terrible to upset Mom.’ Instead, the message becomes, ‘I’m a good kid. Mom got upset. She’s dealing with her own issues. We’re still okay.’

They affirm that it’s excellent, claim the professionals, as they commence the second season of their “After Bedtime” podcast.

Kristin emphasized that no occupation or pastime anywhere demands perfection, so don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing an excellent job, she said, and you should know that you’re providing great support to your child. We admire your efforts.

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2025-07-21 16:21