Jaiden George, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom, is unapologetic about her controversial parenting approach, which includes teaching self-defense to her two boys. Refusing to shy away from criticism, she advocates for her sons to learn how to defend themselves physically.
With a reputation for strong opinions, she stands firm on other unconventional choices like prohibiting sleepovers, not enforcing vegetable consumption, and opting for the whole family to sleep in one room.
Jaiden, a mother of boys aged five and 12 months, fearlessly shares her parenting perspectives with her 2,000 followers on TikTok (@momma_jbg). When asked about her choices, she asserts, “I don’t regret my decision in what I have taught my son.” the 25-year-old, from the US, told What’sTheJam.com.
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According to Jaiden, traditional methods like seeking adult intervention or walking away may not suffice when dealing with bullies. She emphasizes that bullies persist and targeting continues if left unchecked.
Reflecting on her own upbringing, she recalls feeling helpless as nobody taught her how to defend herself physically or verbally, leading her to passivity.
With her five-year-old son diagnosed with ADHD and autism, Jaiden underscores the heightened vulnerability such conditions bring.
She believes self-defense training is crucial not only to combat bullies but also to equip her son for future situations.
Addressing concerns about promoting physical altercation, Jaiden suggests that parents who shy away from such training may inadvertently enable bullying behavior in their own children.
Alongside these convictions, Jaiden enforces other unconventional parenting choices like prohibiting sleepovers and not enforcing meal completion for her boys.
Jaiden challenges the notion that restricting certain childhood experiences equates to helicopter parenting. She rejects the idea of forcing her children to eat meals they dislike, opting instead to accommodate their preferences to avoid potential trauma.
Regarding sleepovers, Jaiden expresses concerns about the unknown factors present in other households, including unfamiliar adults or siblings.
She prioritizes her family’s safety and values by refraining from exposing her children to environments that may conflict with their upbringing.
Additionally, Jaiden shares insights into her family’s sleeping arrangements, which involve co-sleeping in one room.
Jaiden advocates for co-sleeping, believing it fosters better sleep for the entire family. Citing anxiety about her babies’ safety as newborns, she found comfort and convenience in having them close during the night, especially for breastfeeding.
Despite concerns about the safety of co-sleeping, Jaiden adheres to the “safe sleep seven” guidelines to ensure a secure sleeping environment for her children.
While her five-year-old occasionally sleeps in his own bed, he often gravitates towards sleeping with his parents. Jaiden observes a similar consensus among parents regarding the importance of teaching children self-defense, emphasizing shared concerns and approaches in this aspect of parenting.
