We asked Mykidstime parents to watch some popular Ted Talks on parenting, and then give us their feedback, what they had taken from the talk, what they liked, what they didn’t like. We Watched 9 Ted Talks on Parenting and Here’s What We Thought:

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#1. How to Raise Successful Kids – Without Over-parenting | Julie Lythcott-Haims

By loading kids with high expectations and micromanaging their lives at every turn, parents aren’t actually helping. At least, that’s how Julie Lythcott-Haims sees it. With passion and wry humor, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford makes the case for parents to stop defining their children’s success via grades and test scores. Instead, she says, they should focus on providing the oldest idea of all: unconditional love.

“I found it interesting but more horrifying. I would hate to think that I would ever be a parent that would gauge who my child is by the schools or grades she gets. I am not very competitive at the best of times so as long as my daughter is happy with how she goes forward in her life I will support her every step of the way, in as much as I can.
When I do homework with her, I would only push her if I feel she is not trying her best.” – Elaine

You might also enjoy reading 15 Positive Parenting Techniques Every Parent Should Know

#2. What Adults Can Learn From Kids | Adora Svitak

Child prodigy Adora Svitak says the world needs “childish” thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids’ big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups’ willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.

“I thought the video was good and it really makes you think about the language one would use around children. I shall try to let my daughter make more decisions about things now that I’ve watched it.” – Sinead

#3. The Secret to Motivating Your Child | Jennifer Nacif

Jennifer Nacif tells us how to shift manipulation to motivation when it comes to communicating with our children. Jennifer plays the characters of four different children, and in clever fashion, shows us how different personalities require different reactions from parents. The needs of each personality are not only relevant to the children in our lives, but to everyone we encounter, and Jennifer provides easy and actionable ways to motivate and empower those around us.

“I loved the message it conveyed about motivating children to achieve goals/task without manipulating them. It has recentered my focus that my children are very different people and respond in varying ways. Something so simple but very effective!!” – Cliona

You might also enjoy reading 10 Positive Parenting Tips Every New Parent Should Know

#4. Responsible Parenting: Create Memories, Not Expectations | Austeja Landsbergiene

We all are familiar with expectations. Expectations laid on us once to succeed in life. And without noticing we transfer all these expectations on our children. But do high expectations help our children to succeed in life? What happens when we include our children in the conversations they have a stake in?

“Inspiring words and much food for thought. She talks about incorporating kindness into your time with your children and to have expectations but not to transfer those expectations onto your child. Of course you can have hopes and dreams for them but as they grow, what they need is your unconditional love, not your criticism, anger or your fears projected onto them. Yes, you want them to achieve their best but it is a balance to ensure that they are happy too.

Is it the end of the world if they don’t conform? Yes, you must parent and sometimes that means chastising them for behaviour, but choose your battles. Create as many positive memories as you can for them as this is what they will carry into the future and in turn make them confident individuals as they grow. Great talk.” – Michelle

#5. It’s Time to Explode 4 Taboos of Parenting | Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman

Babble.com publishers Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman, in a lively tag-team, expose 4 facts that parents never, ever admit — and why they should. Funny and honest, for parents and nonparents alike.

“I found Rufus and Alisa extremely informative, quite amusing and very easy to relate to. They make very interesting points and make you think differently about scenarios. Would definitely watch more as they made it very interesting.” – Zara

You might also enjoy reading What Part of Parenting Would You Take a Pass on?

#6. How to Get Your Kids to Listen and Engage | Kris Prochaska

Once a psychotherapist, now a coach and consultant, Kris uses her intuitive insight, diagnostic skills and business savvy to help her clients discover their Natural Genius Factor™ and use it to excel in business and create harmonious family relationships.

“I found this so interesting. I agree we all, of course, value our kids, but we don’t always speak to them that way. Time, pressure, stress all lead in my life to the phrase ‘because I said so’. I can see now with my nearly 9 year old that she looks to me for every and all big question. She doesn’t trust herself always to make decisions – so it’s something for sure that I am going to try more with her.

My 5 year old is quite good at making decisions and I don’t think I parented him any differently. But it’s something that I would try and do more of with the kids.” – Caroline

#7. Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection | Reshma Saujani

We’re raising our girls to be perfect, and we’re raising our boys to be brave, says Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code. Saujani has taken up the charge to socialize young girls to take risks and learn to program — two skills they need to move society forward. To truly innovate, we cannot leave behind half of our population, she says. “I need each of you to tell every young woman you know to be comfortable with imperfection.”

“Watching the video was a very good wake up call for me as a parent. Women are always talking about the glass ceiling but when it comes to raising girls and boys we do it so differently. When an electric toy is broken we often tell a boy to take it apart to see how it works and what is wrong. Do we do this with a girl? I know I don’t.

Part of the problem is that how we raise children is passed from generation to generation without much thought on the impact of what we are doing until it is much too late. Wake up parents and watch this video!” – Keira

You might also enjoy reading What a Yes Day Taught Me About My Parenting Style

#8. In Our Baby’s Illness, a Life Lesson | Roberto D’Angelo + Francesca Fedeli

Roberto D’Angelo and Francesca Fedeli thought their baby boy Mario was healthy — until at 10 days old, they discovered he’d had a perinatal stroke. With Mario unable to control the left side of his body, they grappled with tough questions: Would he be “normal?” Could he live a full life? The poignant story of parents facing their fears — and how they turned them around.

“Truth? I sobbed in my kitchen watching this. I can only imagine what it would be like to have a beautiful new baby, and then get a devastating diagnosis. As Roberto and Francesca explain, they didn’t know what to do; it wasn’t what they had expected and they felt like they had failed. What a powerful emotion to link to your longed-for newborn.”

“Their (simple) explanation of mirror neuron therapy was fascinating, as well as the eloquent way they spoke about realising THEY were the true mirror. I loved the message of how we should always show our children our strengths, our skills, our expertise, our joys in life and take them along with us. For Roberto and Francesca, it reaped wonders. Prepare for happy tears!” – Emily

#9. What Every New Parent Should Know | Diana Eidelman

Drawing from her experience as a mother and a Family Counselor, Diana Eidelman shares her insights into challenging and often contradictory experiences that define parenting in the modern world. By drawing on keen insights into the psychology of both parent and child, Diana encourages listeners to consider the importance of active interaction, emotional stability, sustenance and physical touch to both infants and parents during the early, critical stages of child development.

“I really liked Diana’s honesty about her expectations for being a parent to her new baby. She was ready for her imaginary baby while her real baby was a high need baby. She points out that many new parents who are used to doing things well, end up feeling failures and start thinking things like “Good moms have good babies that don’t cry”. She gives some great tips as well on how to cope. Well worth a watch” – Jill

You might also enjoy reading 12 Parenting Tips That Have Stood the Test of Time

Over to you now. Have you watched any of these Ted Talks on parenting? Which one did you enjoy? Tell us in the comments below.