Because of well-known sexuality educator Deanne Carson, there is now a heated discussion in the parenting community. The idea that parents should ask their kids’ permission before changing their nappies has made a lot of people scratch their heads. Her goal is to encourage kids to give their permission and respect their own choices, but some people say this method is silly and not useful.
Carson’s way of doing things is to ask the baby, “Is it okay?” and wait for body language and eye contact to show that the baby agrees. But this does bring up some questions. What should you do if the baby’s body language tells you they don’t want their nappy changed? Should parents do what their child wants, even if it means letting them go with a dirty nappy?
Carson’s idea has been met with strong opposition, with many parents taking to social media to voice their doubts. Some people have said that asking babies for permission is not possible and would cause chaos in the nursery. Others have questioned whether or not it is possible to rely on babies’ nonverbal cues when they are still learning to talk.
Even though Carson’s method has been criticised, some experts have come out in support of it. They say that teaching kids about permission and independence from a very young age is very important for their mental and social growth. Childcare chains like Only About Children have even used parts of Carson’s method in their lessons to encourage parents to change their babies’ nappies with their kids and help them become more independent.
The debate shows how hard it is to find a balance between theoretical goals and the real world of parenting. Consent education is very important, but Carson’s way has raised questions about how well it will work in real life. One thing is clear for parents dealing with this complicated issue: it is very important to find a balance between letting kids be independent and making sure their basic needs are met.
