#Parenting

A global music icon highlights a universal question for Thai households: how to blend modern life with hands-on, nature-based parenting. Rihanna discusses how her late father’s influence shapes her approach to raising children, underscoring outdoor play, curiosity, and strong family connections.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Rihanna reflected on the grandfather she never met but who continues to guide her parenting. She credits Ronald Fenty with instilling an adventurous, outdoors-first mindset she wants for her kids—RZA, three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky. “I want them to be outside and in nature. No tablet babies,” she said, describing her hopes for experiential learning and direct engagement with the world.

Global pop icon Rihanna has spoken candidly about how the legacy of her late father has fundamentally shaped her approach to raising her young children, offering insight into the profound influence familial bonds and childhood experiences have on parenting decisions. The singer, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be mother of three shared that her father’s recent passing in May at age 70 not only marked an emotional chapter in her life but also sparked reflection on the values she seeks to pass down to her sons—RZA, age three, Riot, nearly two, and a third child on the way with partner A$AP Rocky.

Thai families are navigating a quiet but meaningful shift as children head to university. The experience is more than academic; it reshapes daily life, expectations, and relationships. Experts note that higher education can open doors to greater independence while strengthening trust between parents and children.

Leaving home for university brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. For many Thai families, a child’s move—whether to another province or abroad—signals new opportunities for growth and mutual respect. Thai culture has long valued close intergenerational bonds. As youths become more autonomous, parents transition from daily caregivers to mentors who trust rather than control.

A recent viral article highlighting 47 extreme punishments experienced by children at the hands of their parents is fueling worldwide conversations over appropriate parenting, child welfare, and the thin line between discipline and abuse. Titled “That’s Torture”: 47 Children’s Punishments That Only Showed How Unfit Their Parents Were, the piece has generated an outpouring of personal stories, expert warnings, and demands for greater awareness of children’s rights, including among Thai families and educators.

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.

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.

As Thai families celebrate their children’s first loose tooth—a familiar childhood milestone—they may be witnessing another, far more hidden transformation: a dramatic shift in the child’s brain known as “wobbly-tooth puberty.” According to new research highlighted in sources such as the BBC’s recent feature and supported by studies published in Nature Human Behaviour, the age of six marks the beginning of “middle childhood,” a developmental stage long overlooked by scientists but now revealed to be a crucial turning point for both brain function and emotional intelligence (BBC Future; Nature).

The global decline in birth rates, long framed in terms of morality and cultural anxieties by right-wing commentators, is being recast by recent research as a problem rooted overwhelmingly in financial insecurity and systemic economic barriers. According to a groundbreaking United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) survey, the majority of people worldwide—including Thais—are having fewer children than they desire, primarily because of economic limitations, rather than a loss of interest in family or cultural shifts decried by conservative voices. This pushback comes amid rising alarmism in Western media declaring a “birth-rate crisis” with disastrous economic and social consequences if not urgently addressed.

New research reframes the global drop in birth rates as a response to financial insecurity and structural barriers rather than shifting values. An extensive UNFPA survey shows that people worldwide, including in Thailand, are having fewer children than they want mainly due to money troubles, unstable jobs, and housing pressures. The findings challenge the “birth-rate crisis” narrative and point to policy solutions that address the true costs of parenting.

Across nations, a gap remains between desired and actual family size. Thirty-nine percent of respondents cited financial constraints as the main reason for having fewer children than planned, while 40 percent pointed to job insecurity and housing inadequacy. Only 38 percent felt they reached their target, and 31 percent reported fewer children than hoped. The data indicate economic barriers are the primary obstacle to larger families, not a lack of interest in parenting.

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.

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).

A growing body of research and expert opinion suggests AI-powered chatbots, even those crafted for friendly interaction, can hinder essential social and emotional development in children if treated as substitutes for real relationships. The Atlantic notes that frictionless AI friendships may skip the important lessons learned through human connection.

Thai families and schools are increasingly using digital tools—from homework helpers to virtual tutors—that aim to boost learning and provide emotional support. While these advances improve access and convenience, experts warn against mistaking AI responsiveness for genuine friendship.

As AI-powered chatbots gain popularity among children and teens, new research and expert opinion suggest that digital companions—even those designed for friendly interaction—may undermine key aspects of kids’ social and emotional development. The latest article from The Atlantic, “AI Will Never Be Your Kid’s Friend,” spotlights concerns that frictionless AI friendships risk depriving youth of the vital lessons gained through authentic human relationships (The Atlantic).

The debate comes as more Thai families and schools embrace digital technologies—from chatbots that help with homework to virtual tutors designed to boost academic performance and provide emotional support. While these advances offer clear benefits in convenience and accessibility, experts warn against mistaking AI responsiveness for genuine friendship.

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.

The latest research on creativity highlights a groundbreaking insight: fostering cross-domain thinking can transform ordinary minds into highly innovative ones, reshaping how parents and educators approach children’s learning. According to a new feature in Psychology Today, experts are now urging a shift from traditional, siloed education towards cultivating abilities that span multiple fields, arguing that this approach mirrors the habits of the world’s greatest thinkers and inventors (Psychology Today). This revelation holds significant potential for Thailand, where educational reform and national innovation are pressing priorities.

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 body of research shows that cross-domain thinking can unlock extraordinary potential in children. Moving away from siloed lessons, students who blend ideas from art, science, math, and literature develop stronger creativity and adaptability—traits that are in high demand in today’s workforce. This approach holds particular promise for Thailand as the country pursues educational reform and national innovation.

Cross-domain thinking means connecting knowledge and patterns across diverse fields and applying them to new problems. While many classrooms separate subjects, the cross-disciplinary method mirrors the habits of history’s greatest innovators who drew inspiration from multiple domains. Cognitive science suggests that this blending strengthens neural pathways linked to divergent thinking and flexible problem-solving.

A new wave of millennial fathers is pushing to share parenting duties equally with their partners, but workplace culture and longstanding gender norms continue to place significant barriers in their way, according to recent research and widespread expert commentary. This growing tension between the desire to be present fathers and the realities of contemporary work life raises essential questions for families, companies, and policymakers not only in Western countries but also in societies like Thailand, where gender roles and work cultures are rapidly evolving.