Elephant Parenting

Where love leads and pressure pauses.

- Sudha Chandrasekaran

Parenting—a journey laden with choices, styles, and philosophies—witnesses the emergence of diverse approaches. One such approach making waves is “Elephant Parenting,” inspired by the protective and caring nature of elephants in the wild. This unique style emphasises a child’s emotional well-being, fostering an environment where happiness and security take centre stage.

What Is Elephant Parenting?

Journalist Priyanka Sharma-Sindhar coined the phrase in an essay for The Atlantic as an alternative to the more goal-oriented “tiger parenting.” The goal is to build confidence, understanding, and a strong connection in the parent-child relationship. Elephant parents tend to be flexible and adaptive, responding to their child’s needs in the moment. It’s about creating a safe haven for your little one.

“Elephant parenting is a newer term—just like helicopter or tiger parenting. It is a softer parenting style that encourages warmth and empathy.” Tiger parents are authoritarian by nature and exert strict control over their children, being more success-driven.

On the other hand, “jellyfish parents” are those who are weak and permissive.

Helicopter parents are those who “hover” over their child—overly involved, controlling, and constantly propping them up in an attempt to protect them from failure, risk, and mistakes.

While Elephant parenting may appear ideal, it can also overlap with overprotective “helicopter” tendencies that stifle a child’s independence, or it can slip into permissiveness, where all the child’s demands are met and the balance of authority shifts.

The Heart Of Elephant Parenting

Elephant parents are softer and more focused on emotional support. It’s not about pushing your child to achieve at all costs—it’s about letting them grow at their own pace. It emphasises connection and trust over enforcement and rigidity.