April 01, 2025

13: The Reality of "Respectful Parenting" with Daniella Rabbani

59 minutes

Have you ever wondered, Does this gentle parenting thing actually work? Am I being too passive? Is this really preparing my child for the real world? If so, you’re not alone. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned what it means to parent “respectfully” in today’s world.

Daniella Rabbani is a dear friend I met in the world of respectful parenting. We were both deeply inspired by the RIE Educaring Approach to early childhood, but fast forward to now - Daniella shared that she’s wrestled with it and sometimes sees things a bit differently. For me, respectful parenting is the only way, even when it’s hard, and my belief in it has never wavered. So, we had to sit down and talk through all of it - where we align, where we differ, and how we each make it work in real life.

Daniella is the creator and host of the Mom Curious Podcast, an actor, filmmaker, and Yiddish songstress. But more than that, she’s real, playful, and brings a contagious energy into every room she enters. I couldn’t wait to dive into this conversation with her. By the end of our talk, we realized that respectful parenting isn’t about following a strict set of rules - it’s about the intention behind our approach, how we implement it, and most importantly, how we find the right balance for ourselves and our children.

Key Takeaways:

Respectful parenting looks different for everyone. It’s not about memorizing scripts or rigidly following a philosophy. Instead, it’s about using tools and frameworks that resonate with us - things that guide us rather than define us.

Forcing our kids into behaviors isn’t the answer. Yes, we want them to be functioning members of society, but there’s more power in modeling, connection, and meaningful conversations than in forcing a scripted “hello.”

Understanding our triggers matters. Daniella uncovered that she has sensory triggers, while her husband has triggers around lateness. Surprisingly, those two things are connected- she sometimes intentionally runs late to avoid overstimulating environments. (You’ll have to listen to hear how it all unfolds!)

We both embrace “musical beds.” Our kids still come into our beds at night, and while it can throw a wrench into alone time with our spouses, we also see a deep magic in this fleeting stage of parenthood.

Balance is everything. Whether it’s co-sleeping, discipline, or daily routines, what works for one family might not work for another. The key is finding an approach that feels right for you.

You’ll hear it yourself - Daniella is the kind of person you could talk to for hours, the kind of mom who infuses her family’s life with magic every day. You can connect with Daniella through her podcast, Mom Curious, on her instagram and watch her shine in her acting endeavors. Fun Fact: She used to be an educator at Union Square Play! And lastly, she’s just the absolute best.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

...more

View all episodes

By Jennie Monness

4.8