German Millennial Parents Shift Toward Stricter Child Rearing Amid Crisis Concerns

A recent episode of the Feuilleton podcast examines whether the gentle parenting model favored by many Millennials is fading. Hosts Nina Pauer and Lars Weisbrod discuss how the originally non‑punitive, bond‑focused approach has left some parents exhausted and now yearning for more firmness, citing personal limits and broader political shifts as possible drivers.

In a parallel editorial for the ELTERN newsletter, Christian Reimers highlights parental anxiety during current wars and economic turmoil. A survey commissioned by Bild der Frau and Forsa found that 84% of mothers worry about the impact of conflicts on their children, 77% fear online hate, and roughly half anticipate future financial struggles. Reimers argues that modeling calm optimism—focusing on present joys while advocating for children’s rights—offers a way forward for both parents and kids.