Controversial Parenting Topics That Shouldn’t Be Controversial

Alessandra | Posted on April 17, 2025 |

In this blog I’m sharing some controversial parenting topics that are popular right now. And I’ll also share why these topics shouldn’t even be controversial.

Let’s be totally real (yes, I’m getting right into these controversial parenting topics.) Parenting in 2025 feels like walking through a minefield, am I right? It seems that no matter what you do—breastfeed or formula, co-sleep or sleep train—someone, somewhere has an opinion, and it’s usually a nasty opinion. Then somehow, everything becomes a debate. Moms are basically damned if we do, damned if we don’t. But the truth is, many of these “controversial” topics aren’t actually controversial at all!! They are purely just personal decisions that have been made everyone else’s business.

So in this blog, I’m calling out some of the most talked-about parenting topics that really shouldn’t stir up drama. Because guess what? We’re all just trying our best out here! Moms (and dads!) deserve encouragement and support, not side-eyes and nasty comments from strangers. Let’s dive in!

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This blog is for you if…

You’re a mom
You enjoy/want some honesty
You enjoy a little sass
You’re tired of all the online judgement
You want to parent in peace

“Controversial” Parenting Topics

Here are 17 controversial parenting topics that shouldn’t actually be controversial. These topics are all things that are super personal decisions for each mom and family. Make sure to let me know in the comment section below one “controversial” parenting choice you made that actually works great for your family. Maybe it’s listed here, maybe it’s not, but let me know what you think!

1. Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

You will always find someone who hates the term “Fed is Best” and “Breast is Best.” But the thing is, both nourish your baby, both can be extremely hard, and neither defines your worth as a mom! This is such a personal decision and there are so many reasons why moms make the choice they make. And they shouldn’t feel guilty about it either! A happy mom and baby is best. Loved is best! End of story.

2. Co-Sleeping

For hundreds of thousands of years parents and babies slept together. Then about 100 years ago some random men decided this was wrong. Co-Sleeping (done safely) is biologically normal. Moms want to be near their babies and babies want to be near their moms. If you don’t co-sleep, that’s totally cool too, don’t let another mom feel guilty for wanting to do it though. At the end of the day, families are going to do what helps everyone sleep at night.

3. What Your Child Eats

Some kids are picky (it’s probably not the mom’s fault, or maybe it is who knows.) Some kids aren’t picky and well, that makes you lucky in my opinion. But if you find yourself serving chicken nuggets for the 3rd time this week, it’s cool. It means your child is happy and has a full belly. Are you serving organic quinoa salad? Also totally cool, I’m happy for you and your happy child! No matter what your kid eats, remember you’re feeding a growing human, not building a Pinterest board of fancy snacks.

4. Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling

Different families, different needs, different choices. What works for one kid might not work for another and that’s okay! But enough of the comments like, “I homeschool my kids because I like them.” Trust me, I love my kids just as much as you even though I send them to public school. Some moms need school to be their village and that’s ok too! Leave moms alone for their school choices, all of our kids are getting an education and isn’t that what matters?

5. Telling My Kids “Good Job”

When did this become controversial? I don’t know, but when I was in school for Early Childhood Education, I remember being taught to not tell kids/students “Good job.” But I honestly think it’s foolish. Yes, I hype up my kids by saying “good job” to them, sue me! Encouragement isn’t going to ruin them, Linda. It’s called positive reinforcement, and it’s a good thing.

6. Putting My Kids in Sports

If you don’t want to put your kids in sports that’s fine. If you want to sign your kids up for sports, that’s fine too. Stop telling moms who do sign their kids up for sports that it’s because we don’t want to spend time with them because that’s a wild assumption! Most likely our kids have asked to play sports or we want a fun weekend activity. No, it’s not about raising the next Olympic athlete. It’s about movement, fun, and learning to be part of a team.

7. Screen Time

There are many nuances of screen time. A little extra TV time won’t hurt anymore. Kids being glued to a personal device crosses some grey areas. Social media is a huge no-no for me, but I digress. Screens can be used as tools, they are not evil devices from the underworld. When it comes to screens I think balance matters more than blanket bans or guilt trips. You do you, mama.

8. Gentle Parenting

To the people who think gentle parenting means raising a bunch of “sissies” that’s fine. Choosing empathy over apathy doesn’t make you weak. It makes you intentional and I think that’s powerful. But if you choose to raise your kids another way, that’s fine too. The cool thing about being a parent is we get to raise our kids the way we choose and it doesn’t matter how anyone else does it.

9. Letting Kids Be “Bored”

Why oh why is this controversial? Boredom isn’t a problem to fix! Kids should be bored sometimes because it’s where creativity and imagination are born. So no, I’m not the cruise director 24/7 in our home, my kids can find their own fun. If you want to do crafts and activities that’s amazing too! But if that’s not your thing, you don’t have to worry either.

10. Kids in Public

I’m preaching to the choir here, but NEWSFLASH: children are a normal part of society. They’re allowed to exist (and even be noisy) at restaurants, stores, planes, and anywhere else their parents choose to bring them. If you find people are making comments about you or your children in public it’s not you, it’s a them problem 100%!

11. Family Size

People really just love spewing their opinions everywhere. Your family is complete when you feel it is, not when society says you “should” have another. Are you a one and done, that’s fine. Want 5 kids? Amazing! No matter how many kids you have or if someone has zero kids, it’s all valid and really, it’s no one else’s freakin’ business.

12. Moms Taking Breaks

Again, why this is even a controversial topic is beyond me. Because needing rest doesn’t make you selfish, it makes you smart. Mommy burnout isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a warning sign to make changes so you can thrive and enjoy life.

13. Dads Doing the Bare Minimum

Maybe that headline should just say “Dads,” because for some reason dads can be controversial in general. But anyway, can we not make dads doing the bare minimum cute? Changing a diaper or watching the kids isn’t “babysitting,” people, it’s parenting! Let’s stop giving gold stars for basic involvement because honestly it’s a bit patronizing, especially to dads who are completely competent!

14. Using Childcare

It’s ok to use childcare even if you’re a stay at home mom or a work at home mom. Getting help doesn’t mean you’re slacking. It means you’re resourceful and probably better rested, too. And just like I mentioned about homeschooling, sometimes childcare is the only village a mom has. So please check yourself the next time you want to judge a mom for sending her kid to daycare.

15. Teaching Kids Body Autonomy

It’s important to start the consent talk early. And for kids that can mean hugs, kisses, and even how much they eat. My child doesn’t have to give you a hug, especially if she/he doesn’t know you well, and that’s not rude, it’s respectful. Or if my child decides they are full and they don’t want anymore dinner, that’s fine too. It’s important for kids to learn to listen to their body’s!

16. Having A Parenting Schedule

This seems to be a total millennial thing, but having a schedule isn’t a bad thing. Wanting your kids to be in bed by 7 isn’t weird. Whether it’s a strict routine or a loose rhythm, having structure isn’t controlling. It’s actually calming for everyone involved.

17. Moms Having Hobbies or Goals

To all the haters, moms are not just moms. Motherhood doesn’t erase who you are. Your passions and interests matter, and your kids benefit when they see you living fully, too! So it’s ok to have hobbies outside of motherhood and it’s ok to set goals and dream big!

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing, mama, when we stop making everything a competition or moral debate, parenting becomes so much easier! Most of these “controversial” parenting topics boil down to different families making different choices. That’s really not controversy that’s just called LIFE. And my guess is, parenting has been like this forever, social media just makes these things seem like a debate.

So the next time you’re second-guessing your decision because of someone else’s Instagram reel or your cousin’s loud opinion at the baby shower, I encourage you to remember this… YOU are the expert on your child. Trust your gut, give yourself grace, and keep showing up with love and joy. That’s what matters most. You’re doing great!

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