The 2020s has been a revolutionary (but confusing) time for the parenting industry.
Multiple experts, gurus and researchers have since come out with a slew of new parenting tips, tricks and styles to accommodate a vastly changing world.
Gentle parenting, positive parenting, minimalist parenting, etc.
Some unofficial parenting terms have also come out of the woodwork to explain problematic, toxic and even abusive parenting styles: ‘eggshell parenting’, ‘tiger parenting’, ‘helicopter parenting‘, ‘millennial parenting’, ‘fixer parenting’, etc.
The truth is, these are merely “rebrandings” or subcategories of the big four that child experts have discovered long ago: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and neglectful.
Now, in 2025, there’s a new parenting style hitting the shelves: lighthouse parenting.
Here’s what you need to know about this new parenting style.
What is Lighthouse Parenting?
Lighthouse Parenting isn’t just another trendy label. According to paediatrician Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, who coined the term, “lighthouse parenting” is a reframing of authoritative parenting.
Parents act as steadfast guides: like a lighthouse, they provide guidance and support while letting their kids steer their own ships.
“We should be like lighthouses for our children—beacons of light on a stable shoreline from which they can safely navigate the world. We must make certain they don’t crash against the rocks but trust they have the capacity to learn to ride the waves on their own.”
– Dr Kenneth Ginsburg
In many ways, it is the opposite of helicopter parenting, or fixer parenting, where parents rush in and rescue their kids at the slightest inconvenience.
With lighthouse parenting, parents learn to foster independence, problem-solving and trust with their child.
Lighthouse parenting calls for thoughtful restraint. It calls for parents to break free from extremes of neglect or interference.
Becoming a “Beacon of Hope”
Some parents may wobble between two extremes.
On one side are helicopter parents, constantly hovering and stepping in at the first stumble.
On the other are the free-range type, offering independence but sometimes leaving kids feeling unsupported.
“Lighthouse parenting” finds a middle path.
Parents set clear boundaries. They offer warmth without control. They trust their child’s capacity to learn.
This new parenting style reflects a desire for both stability and freedom.
It overlaps with authoritative parenting—a respected, evidence-based style blending affection and structure.
But the “lighthouse” metaphor adds a poetic undertone behind the idea of parenting (and an apt one at that). It’s more than structure; it’s intentional presence and trust.
Lighthouse parents learn to project warmth, love, strength and patience from afar as if to say to your child, “Know that I am always here when you need me.”
Ginsburg emphasises that overprotecting kids steals their chance to build confidence. Instead, parents should guide without solving problems for them.
Children benefit more when they face manageable challenges and feel supported, not micromanaged.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Lighthouse parenting is more than just hanging around until your child asks you for help. It’s not even about just resisting coming to their rescue at the first sign of trouble.
More than anything, the technique is more challenging because it requires work on your part as a parent.
As a “guide”, you must model the correct behaviours, responses and skills that your child can emulate through your presence.
So in most cases, parents actually need to master emotional regulation first and practise patience and strong character.
“Lighthouse parents aren’t hands-off. Rather, because their goal is for their children to develop inner control, they choose not to manage their kids’ every action. Instead, they observe, offer a steady hand, and are generous with their guidance when it is requested.”
– Dr Kenneth Ginsburg
But other than that, here are some rules you can practise if you’re interested in trying out lighthouse parenting:
- Set clear yet flexible boundaries: Kids need structure, but walls shouldn’t be rigid.
- Step back, then step in if needed: Watch how your child handles tasks. Offer help only when it truly counts.
- Model calm and resilience: When parents stay steady during stress, kids learn how to regulate emotions too.
- Use natural consequences as lessons: If the child forgets homework or loses a toy, skip the rush to fix it. Turn it into a moment of growth.
- Build trust through presence, not perfection: Admitting mistakes and showing empathy builds connection—not distance.
A thing to note is that while lighthouse parenting looks good on paper, it is important for parents to practise discretion when applying its principles.
For instance, lighthouse parenting is very much dependent on your child’s age.
Infants and younger toddlers still require direct intervention. They still need a hands-on approach and quick intervention to prevent accidents and injuries.
A Much-Needed Rebrand
Parenting styles will continue to go through multiple metamorphoses throughout the decades. It is not only for rebranding purposes but to infuse old terms with new perspectives.
With lighthouse parenting, parents are not captains of their children’s lives; they are a beacon.
In many ways, it is more challenging, as it involves work on your end too to model patience, strength and support from a distance.
It’s about staying steady while your child learns to sail. Raising kids who learn how to ride the uncharted waves of life.
As a lighthouse parent, you must guide, not steer. With this small change, your kids emerge resilient, self-assured, and connected.
In the long run, that light shines far beyond childhood for years to come.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Mamahood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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