Parenting

A viral article detailing 47 severe punishments endured by children has sparked global debate about appropriate parenting, child welfare, and the boundary between discipline and abuse. While controversial, the piece has prompted Thai families, educators, and policymakers to reflect on how to raise children with dignity and safety.

Reports describe punishments ranging from exposure to cold weather to prolonged isolation and various forms of psychological discomfort. Respondents called many actions emotionally damaging, with some labeling them “torture.” The online conversations have drawn responses from parents, teachers, and child development experts, who stress the risks of harsh discipline and the challenge of balancing authority with empathy.

A growing number of families in the United States are prioritizing support for adult children over retirement goals. Recent surveys and firsthand accounts show that roughly half of parents with children over 18 provide some financial help, often at personal cost. Higher living expenses, stagnant wages, and soaring housing prices have pushed more young adults back home, extending dependence well into adulthood.

In Sherman Oaks, California, a middle-aged couple spends more than $5,000 each month supporting their 27-year-old daughter who moved back home. This story illustrates a broader pattern: what once signaled independence is increasingly becoming a long-term financial obligation. The “empty nest” is disappearing for many families as adult children rely on parental support amid economic insecurity.

A viral essay praising lazy summer days has sparked renewed discussion about how Thai families manage rest, screens, and downtime during long holidays. While the piece highlights the appeal of unstructured days, Thai readers seek practical guidance on health, social skills, and readiness for the new term.

In Thailand, many families already fill breaks with camps and tutoring. Yet concerns about burnout and mental well-being prompt a closer look at three key elements: sleep, screen time, and unstructured time. Credible research suggests that healthy routines during holidays can support mood, focus, and immune health as students return to school.

As the annual debate over how children should spend their lengthy school holidays reignites, a recent viral essay by an American mother has sparked conversation about the virtue—and potential pitfalls—of letting kids sleep late, use screens, and simply do nothing all summer. The article, published on July 13, 2025, by Business Insider, describes a parent intentionally allowing her children the freedom to enjoy “lazy days” reminiscent of 1980s summers: sleeping in, relaxing at home, and engaging in unstructured leisure, often involving digital devices. This parenting decision, while resonant for many, raises important questions about the effects of unrestricted sleep, screen use, and downtime on children’s health, social development, and academic readiness—concerns that resonate with Thai families as school and community routines transform during the long summer break.

Surveys and real-life stories show grandparents increasingly becoming primary caregivers for young children. The trend highlights pressures on modern families and the tough choices parents face when balancing work, costs, and care.

A notable case involves a grandmother who began helping for a short period but ended up caring for her grandchild for months. Her fatigue and back pain underscored the need for clear boundaries and sustainable arrangements.

This shift is global. In many countries, data show rising reliance on grandparents as childcare costs climb and work patterns change. In the United States, more than 2.7 million grandparents serve as the primary caregivers to their grandchildren, reflecting economic stress, changing family structures, and pandemic-era disruptions.

A rapidly growing body of research and real-world accounts reveal a significant shift in family dynamics worldwide, as more grandparents are stepping into the role of primary caregivers for young children—sometimes from the moment they’re born. This trend, which was recently thrown into sharp relief by a viral family advice story about parents “taking a break” from active childrearing since their baby’s birth, underscores the complex realities and pressures facing modern families today (Slate).

A growing number of parents and experts worldwide are highlighting that some “normal” parenting rules—long considered standard—may in fact cause lasting emotional damage to children, according to the latest digital debate and emerging scientific research. Recent discussions, sparked by a widely shared BuzzFeed article in July 2025, show how social media communities and mental health professionals increasingly question rules like constant teasing, forced affection, tough love, the suppression of children’s emotions, and respect for hierarchy regardless of mutual respect. Thai families, renowned for their warmth but also shaped by traditional hierarchies, may find these revelations particularly meaningful as the nation grapples with global trends in parenting and mental health.

As the long Thai school holidays approach, a wave of questions arises about the way parents handle everyday misbehavior in young children. A recent discussion ignited by the article “Why shouldn’t we call children ‘naughty’?” from The Spectator challenges the conventional wisdom of using labels like “naughty” to describe children’s bad behavior. The apparent simplicity of the term belies its potential to shape a child’s developing sense of self and influence the way children respond to authority, discipline, and emotional challenges—not just in Western societies but also within Thai families adjusting to modern parenting philosophies.

A long Thai school break is prompting fresh debates on how parents respond to small preschool missteps. The discussion around labeling children as “naughty” has sparked a wider conversation about language, discipline, and a child’s developing sense of self—topics that matter to Thai families navigating modern parenting while honoring traditional values.

Labeling a young child as naughty can do more than momentary shaming. Repeated labels shape self-identity and influence how children respond to authority and regulate emotions. A senior child psychologist notes that internalizing a negative label can lead a child to think “I am bad,” potentially fueling ongoing behavioral challenges. Language, therefore, can influence long-term behavior, not only immediate compliance.

A global conversation questions long-held parenting norms. New research suggests certain familiar practices can harm children’s emotional development. The discussion gained momentum after a widely shared July 2025 BuzzFeed piece, and mental health professionals emphasize moving away from constant teasing, forced affection, harsh discipline, and public shaming. Thai families, known for warmth yet rooted in traditional hierarchies, may find these insights especially relevant as they navigate modern parenting and mental health challenges.

Across the world, including in Thailand, a quiet revolution is reshaping the priorities of military families as they increasingly place long-term stability and well-being above salary benefits. A recent feature from Business Insider shares a personal account from the United States, where a soldier left the armed forces after 10 years despite a pay cut, motivated by the desire to provide greater stability for his family. This resonates strongly with Thai society, where similar issues around military service, work-life balance, and family well-being have become more prominent in public discourse.

A growing global movement urges families to unplug during summer. Recent recommendations from the UK’s Raising the Nation Play Commission support the idea that a phone-free break can curb digital overuse while boosting resilience, happiness, and social skills. In many households, experts warn that excessive smartphone use is linked to lower well-being, especially for children who spend long hours online.

For Thai families and educators, this trend aligns with local concerns about children’s screen habits. Thai and international studies indicate that high screen time can relate to behavioral and emotional challenges. As routines shift toward digital engagement, parents, schools, and policymakers in Thailand are seeking practical ways to restore balanced childhood experiences and healthy social development.

A quiet shift is reshaping expectations among Thai military families. Across the globe and in Thailand, service members increasingly prioritize long-term stability and family well-being over salary perks. A recent feature highlights a U.S. soldier who left the armed forces after a decade, taking a pay cut to gain predictability and more time with his family. The story resonates with Thai readers, where work-life balance and family cohesion are rising topics in public discussions about military service.

As concerns about children’s mental health and screen dependency rise globally, the call to “rewild” children—allowing them to spend summer away from smartphones—has become a powerful trend. Drawing inspiration from recent recommendations by the Raising the Nation Play Commission in the UK, new evidence suggests that a phone-free summer might not only curb digital overuse but also foster resilience, happiness, and social skills in young people. This movement comes at a crucial time as research and parent anecdotes paint a portrait of a generation described as “sedentary, scrolling and alone,” with smartphone use implicated in declining childhood wellbeing (The Times).

Recent discussions among Thai families highlight a growing challenge: teenagers taking on parenting duties for younger siblings. A segment from a well-known podcast on caregiving illustrated a parent coping with two teens acting as disciplinarians for a four-year-old. Psychologists warn that parentification can affect both the older children and the younger one, with implications for households across Thailand.

Parentification occurs when an older sibling gains genuine parental authority, typically when parents are overwhelmed or age gaps are large. Data summarized by major health institutes in the United States show that while sibling bonds can be positive, crossing developmental boundaries may create problems for everyone involved. In Thailand, where multi-generational homes are common and older children are often asked to help, such dynamics can escalate quickly. Culturally, deference to elder siblings is woven into language and daily life, but when teens begin setting rules, guiding discipline, or serving as emotional confidants for parents, experts warn that boundaries are shifting. A broad overview of parentification notes that routine chores and caregiving are acceptable to a point, but the emotional burden placed on teenagers can be harmful.

As Thai families increasingly span wider age gaps between children, a modern parenting conundrum is emerging: teenagers taking on the parental role over much younger siblings, especially toddlers. A recent episode of Slate’s acclaimed “Care and Feeding” parenting podcast brought this issue into sharp focus, featuring a parent struggling with two teens who have set themselves up as disciplinarians over their four-year-old sibling. Experts warn this blurring of roles—known in psychology as “parentification”—may have long-term consequences for both the child and the adolescent family members, with important implications for Thai households experiencing similar dynamics (slate.com).

As divorce rates remain steady, a new trend in co-parenting, called “birdnesting,” is drawing interest from parents worldwide—including in Thailand. The latest research and high-profile features, such as a recent piece in the Washington Post, shed light on how divorced couples are choosing to share the family home for the benefit of their children, even as they formally split as partners.

In a compelling case described by the Washington Post, parents who divorced chose to prioritize the stability of their children by keeping the family home as a shared, central residence. Rather than constantly moving their children back and forth between two homes, the former couple rotated in and out of the family apartment on a set schedule. This arrangement, dubbed “birdnesting,” is designed to minimize disruption for children during an often tumultuous period and to ensure that family routines and environments can be maintained, at least during the adjustment to a new family dynamic. According to the report, the former couple maintained an informal custody agreement, with the mother and father alternating time with their three children, leaving and arriving at clearly stipulated intervals to reduce friction Washington Post.

A new co-parenting approach called birdnesting is sparking interest among families worldwide, including in Thailand. The concept involves divorced or separating couples sharing the same family home on a rotating schedule to keep children in a stable environment during transitions.

In a well publicized example, a divorced couple kept the family apartment as a single residence for the children’s sake, while adults took turns living there. The aim is to minimize disruption and preserve familiar routines for kids amid life changes. For Thai readers, the underlying goal resonates with the country’s emphasis on family stability, even as modern work and living arrangements push families toward innovative solutions for child welfare.

As Thailand’s healthcare system modernises and more children with complex health needs survive and thrive, a crucial question is gaining prominence: are we truly supporting the parents who shoulder the day-to-day care of sick or disabled children—or could we be unintentionally making their burden heavier? Echoing concerns raised in a recent commentary by The Guardian, leading-edge research highlights that while the journey of parenting often appears communal, families dealing with illness or disability travel a far lonelier, more taxing road that requires nuanced support from society, healthcare providers, and government systems (The Guardian).

New research is shedding light on the complex challenges faced by families raising children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), highlighting strategies that can foster family balance despite often overwhelming circumstances. As one of the most common childhood mental health diagnoses worldwide, ADHD not only disrupts classroom performance but reverberates through family life, impacting emotional well-being, relationships, and daily routines. The latest findings underscore the need for better understanding, targeted supports, and culturally sensitive guidance—an issue of growing urgency for Thai families grappling with rising ADHD diagnoses.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) poses real challenges for Thai families, affecting daily routines, school life, and emotional well-being. New evidence underscores the need for targeted, culturally aware supports that help families navigate ADHD with confidence and resilience.

Globally, ADHD affects about 5–7% of school-aged children. While the condition has a long history, its diagnosis and management remain inconsistent, and stigma often complicates care outside school settings. In Thailand, pediatricians and teachers report rising referrals for attention and behavior difficulties, and public health campaigns by the Department of Mental Health reflect growing concern. Data from leading health institutions suggest ADHD impacts classroom performance, family dynamics, and long-term outcomes if not addressed holistically.

A growing question in Thailand’s evolving health system is how to best support parents who care for children with chronic illness or disability. International studies echo a troubling finding: caregiving can take a heavy psychological toll on families, often leaving parents feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

For many Thai families, parenting a child with significant health needs means stepping off the traditional path. While new parents often rely on support networks, caregivers of chronically ill children frequently struggle to find empathy and practical help from family and friends.

A growing number of families in Thailand are exploring birdnesting — a co-parenting arrangement where children stay in the family home while parents rotate living there. Experts say this model can reduce disruption for children during separation, offering a stable environment in a time of change.

In Thai communities, preserving routines, schools, and social networks matters deeply. Birdnesting aligns with family-centered values by keeping children in familiar spaces, neighborhoods, and support systems even after parents part ways. As urban life in Bangkok evolves, practical custody arrangements like this gain traction among parents seeking to shield children from conflict.

As divorce rates in Thailand and across the globe continue to rise, families are searching for innovative ways to support children through parental separation. One approach gaining international attention, and now prompting discussion among Thai experts, is “birdnesting”—an arrangement where children remain in the family home while separated parents alternate living there. According to a recent report by ABC News Australia, this “modern collaborative” form of co-parenting is increasingly being considered by parents hoping to minimize disruption in their children’s lives during emotionally turbulent times (abc.net.au).