Meet the weird, quirky parents set to challenge your style on Parental Guidance

Tency and David – Outback Parenting

Tency, 32, is a stunt-double horse rider and business development coordinator meanwhile David is a FIFO worker.

The parents are raising three boys, Vance, Wyatt, and Clancy on a farm in tropical North Queensland.

An outback parenting style seeks respect, manners, and strict consequences for misbehaviour. While these boys have a lot of fun and freedom – even being taught how to drive as soon as they can reach the pedals – they have responsibilities from a young age.

Sammy and Jason – Lighthouse Parenting

Sammy, 41, is a psychology student and Jason, 41, is a business analyst. During COVID, they made the move to reside beachside with their four children under the age of ten.

The Lighthouse method sees parents take a step back from their children and watch from a distance. This grants children independence while still watching over their safety.

The two eldest kids, Pepper, 10, and Jude, 6, are allowed to swim at the beach unaccompanied while the parents watch from afar and they visit the corner store by themselves.

Kat and Jonathon – Influencer Parenting

At just 17 years old, Kat became a mother to Latisha, 18, with an abusive ex-boyfriend. Now, 36 years old she is a social media influencer and has been with Jonathon, a mortgage broker, for 16 years where they had Deja, 11.

These parents have very few rules and prioritise their social media presence. However, they do value appropriate behaviour in public, respect and communication.

Kat and Jonathon note their parenting style has been shaped by their South African and Filipino backgrounds.

Amy and John – Road School Parenting

Amy, 39, and John, 39, packed their bags to call a caravan home for 18 months with their three children Jimmy, 12, Gus, 10, and Skipper, 6.

Road School Parenting allows their children to be educated in a manner that is tailored to their interests. A few hours every morning involves ‘school’ work then life lessons including social skills, money management, fishing and driving.

Larissa and Marcus – Gentle Parenting

Larissa, 33, a stay-at-home mum and Marcus, 34, owner of a lawn moving business, are both guided by their Christian values to use gentle parenting with their four children.

Gentle parenting is one of the more commonly recognized styles as it approaches issues with calmness, kindness, and patience. Larissa and Marcus want to respect their child’s experiences rather than constantly instructing them.

Kat – Honest Parenting

Single mum Kat, 49, describes her parenting style as “no BS – just raw honest and straight to the point.”

It is certainly a different take on parenting, but Kat 49, refuses to treat her fraternal twins Billy and Jesse, 10, as delicate flowers. That doesn’t mean Kat is overly harsh, as she often expresses how much she loves them and showers them with affection.

Kajal and Deepak – Spiritual Parenting

Kajal, 37, an early childhood education professional and Deepak, 45, working in IT, live a multi-generational home with their two children Krishna and Mridula, and Deepak’s parents.

Every evening, the family join in a spiritual journey together with meditating, chanting and praying. Kajal and Deepak value inter-generational bonds and the children are allowed to share the bed with their parents and grandparents.

Leanne and Mark – Team Parenting

Leanne, 42, a teacher’s aide and Mark, 46, an Aboriginal and social inclusion manager have six children together Matthew – who Mark is stepfather too – Billy, Ella, Brooklyn, Bobbi and Baylee.

Their Team Parenting style is much like any football team, they value teamwork, support, discipline, repetition, and respect.

Philippa and Chris – Slow Style Parenting

Philippa, 40, is a health and fitness coach while Chris, 39, is a corporate well-being specialist. The pair value slow parenting their three children Peyton, Briar and Avery, which allows them to be children and creative when bored.

As they value family time, they don’t have a television to allow their children to spend plenty of time in nature.

Kim and Nick – American Parenting

Kim, 51, a part-time teacher and Nick, 52, the vice-president of an international recycling company use an American parenting style to raise their daughter Pia for success and confidence.

At just two years old, Pia started school and since has participated in public speaking, fluent Chinese, rhythmic gymnastics, cross-country running and soccer.

Sarah and Shane – Stage Parenting

Sarah, 47, runs a theatre company and Shane, 51, is a drama teacher who use creativity to induce a free and expressive environment for the three children Alaska, Xion and River.

These parents describe their Stage parenting style as free, but they uphold certain standards when it comes to learning lines and performing.

Melody and Michael – Unstructured Parenting

Melody, 34, and Michael, 37, are both professional musicians with three children, Miller, Magnolia and Maisy.

Living a bohemian life, these parents prioritise mental health over traditional measures of success. With an unstructured parenting style, Melody and Michael involve their children in decision-making processes including bedtimes, routines and food choices.

Rules are flexible and negotiable!