We uncovered the latest trend in the talk show host circuit: hard-a— parenting.
Kelly Ripa described her tough-love approach on The Wendy Williams Show. Like most moms of teenage girls, she’s currently locked in battle with 13-year-old Lola. “She recently lost her computer and phone privileges, so it’s like taking away oxygen,” Ripa said, explaining that Lola broke the rule of no texting or tweeting during study hours.
“I don’t think she likes me, but I don’t care,” Ripa added. “I’m like, ‘I’m not your friend! I’m your mom.’”
In light of Ripa’s comments, the TODAY Show cast — basically a cohort of parents — weighed in with their parenting styles.
“To be friends suggests that you’re equals, and you don’t want to have that relationship,” Savannah Guthrie said. “Somebody’s got to be the parent.”
Al Roker backed her up. “I’m not your friend; I’m your father.”
Willie Geist , dad to a 5- and 7-year-old, knows the enemy phase is pending. “We’re still at the buddy-buddy hero phase, but we know war is on the horizon.”
But Carson Daly is a big softie. “I want them to look up to me and like me, so they can emulate the things I do,” he said.
What do you think? Which parenting method works best for you?
