There is this parenting trend that I’ve seen on TikTok recently that is straight-up baffling. I’m sure you’ve heard of parents deciding to never say «no» to their children but rather redirecting them towards the results that they (the parents) want. For example, when your child says, «Can I stick this fork in this power surge,» the parent says, «I think it would be better to stick it in your bowl of mashed potatoes.» Obviously, I’m joking, but I can’t imagine it’s advantageous for a person who is brand new to this world and its rules to never hear «no» before entering a school setting. Pointing kids in the general direction of the answer and waiting for them to get it sounds much less healthy than actually saying what you mean. Kids aren’t stupid, and if they’ve been conditioned not to know the difference between a firm «no» and a «Mommy doesn’t want you to do that, but you can make your own choices,» they will undoubtedly become some kind of a people-pleasing neurotic.