Most parenting recommendations focus on children, their needs, and the goals adults set for them. Radically respectful parenting shifts the focus from children to relationships.

Radically respectful relationships question and avoid society’s “shoulds”. If reading aloud feels like a should, consider the following ideas.

Many activities are fun. But just because something is fun does not mean it is actually play.

Recognizing and honoring a young person’s agency is a form of radical respect.

Recognizing and respecting young children’s innate curiosity is a form of radical respect.

Children deserve respect for the contributions they make to society in every stage of their lives, not just for their potential to develop into adults.