There are enough parenting styles going around TikTok right now to make your head spin. From crunchy vs. silky moms to “scrunchy moms,” one of the most popular parenting styles to hit the platform has been “gentle parenting”. Focused on validating your child’s emotions and approaching challenges with empathy and compassion, gentle parenting has found fans all over the world, and now one dad is taking it to the next level.

Charles Sohn, the face behind the comical and lovable Ginger Jack TikTok, recently shared his “gentle parenting with malicious intent” idea with the masses. The crux of it—every time his kids give him attitude, he starts “cringely” hitting on their mom.

“Hey there. sugar. How you doing, baby girl? How do you feel about another child? I could rub your ankles real good,” he jokingly says as you can hear his kids groan in the background. “Are we gonna adjust that attitude?” he asks his kids. “Yes!” they all chime in. “Are we gonna clean without crying or fighting?” he says. “Yes!” the kids say back.

“So, the next time I instruct you guys to do the dishes without fighting, you will do the dishes without fighting, or I will hit on mom in front of you, loudly,” he says. “I could start kissing. I love kisses.” Soon enough, the kids are pleading with their dad asking him to stop and telling him they are sorry. “You better be sorry. This is gentle parenting with malicious intent,” Sohn says, adding, “I know you would have rather me just use the belt, but this is better for me,” he laughs.

Sohn’s video got quite the reaction, not just from his kids but also parents across the platform. The video now has over 6.3 million views, 1.4 million likes and thousands of comments. “ANYTHING but parental flirting,” joked one commenter, “adopting this immediately,” and “furiously taking notes,” added others.

“Wholesome but devious,” several parents noted how this might not necessarily be “gentle parenting” to a tee but hits on some of the most important concepts around it. Throughout the video, Sohn isn’t reactive, keeps his approach lighthearted and fun and maintains a safe and collaborative environment.

Hear from one of our editors about why gentle parenting just isn’t for her and why it might not be for you either.

Humor