What is Nacho Parenting? A New Way to Approach Parenting Challenges

Parenting can be a tough and overwhelming journey, and every parent eventually has to develop their own style. One parenting style that has gained attention in recent years is Nacho parenting. But what exactly is Nacho parenting? It’s not just about giving your child nachos, even though that sounds tempting—there's much more to it!

In this article, we'll explore what Nacho parenting is, how it works, and whether it’s the right approach for you and your family.

What Does "Nacho Parenting" Mean?

Well, the term "Nacho parenting" might sound a bit quirky, right? It’s actually a clever play on words. The term was coined by a couple, Mark and Christina, who were blending families from previous relationships. The idea behind "Nacho parenting" is pretty simple: you “nacho” something that isn't yours—in other words, you don’t take on responsibility for certain aspects of your partner's children that are not your direct responsibility.

1. The Concept Behind Nacho Parenting

In a blended family, one of the most challenging things can be navigating relationships with stepchildren. "Nacho" parents understand that it's important to establish boundaries. Instead of trying to take on the role of "mom" or "dad" to your partner's kids, you take a step back and focus on building relationships without the added pressure of discipline or authority, at least in the beginning.

My Experience with Blended Families

Actually, I’ve had friends who have tried Nacho parenting in their blended families, and they've found it to be surprisingly effective. For example, one friend of mine, Alice, has been living with her partner, who has two kids from his previous marriage. She mentioned that in the beginning, she tried to be everything to the kids—disciplinarian, protector, confidant—but it became overwhelming. After she embraced the concept of Nacho parenting, she focused on being a supportive adult rather than trying to be the “second mom.” The relationship with the kids improved significantly.

How Does Nacho Parenting Work?

So, how does Nacho parenting work in practical terms? In simple words, it’s about letting the biological parent take the lead in matters related to discipline and decision-making, especially in the early stages. You’re still a caring figure, but you avoid stepping on toes by overstepping boundaries or trying to impose authority.

2. Setting Clear Boundaries

One of the first steps in Nacho parenting is setting boundaries. For example, if your partner’s child is having a tantrum or acting out, it’s often best to let your partner handle the situation. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, but it acknowledges the fact that they are the biological parent and need to maintain their role in the child’s life.

Example From My Life

I remember when I moved in with my boyfriend, who already had a 10-year-old daughter. At first, I was hesitant to let him deal with all the discipline. I thought, “Shouldn’t I step in and help with the rules?” But as time went on, I realized that stepping back and giving my boyfriend the space to parent in his own way helped our relationship and reduced the tension. Nacho parenting was my way of giving him the authority to lead when it came to the kids.

3. Building Your Own Relationship with the Kids

Nacho parenting isn’t about being absent or disengaged—it’s about building a meaningful relationship with the children. This might include spending quality time together, showing kindness, and building trust. You want to become a supportive adult figure in their lives without trying to be their parent.

Benefits of Nacho Parenting

You might be wondering, what makes Nacho parenting work? Here are some key benefits that make this approach unique:

4. Reduces Tension

In blended families, tension can arise when there’s confusion about roles. With Nacho parenting, you clear up any misunderstandings about what your role is, and this can significantly reduce conflict. You aren’t stepping on your partner’s toes, and the kids get to see both adults working together without competing for authority.

5. Allows for Natural Bonding

By removing the pressure to take on a parenting role immediately, Nacho parenting allows for organic relationship development. You aren’t rushing the process; instead, you’re focusing on bonding without any heavy expectations.

Is Nacho Parenting Right for You?

Now that you understand the basics of Nacho parenting, you might be wondering if this is the right approach for your family. Honestly, it depends on your situation and the dynamics of your blended family.

If you're in a relationship with a partner who has kids from a previous relationship, Nacho parenting could be a great option to ease into the role of a stepparent. It’s all about building trust and relationships slowly, while respecting the natural boundaries that exist.

6. A Personal Take

For me, Nacho parenting was an eye-opening concept that helped me realize that patience and respect for boundaries were key in building relationships with my partner’s kids. It isn’t about doing less, but about doing the right things at the right time.

Conclusion: Nacho Parenting as a Healthy Approach

So, what is Nacho parenting? It’s about giving space and respecting boundaries in a blended family dynamic, without rushing into the role of “mom” or “dad.” It allows for building healthy, trusting relationships over time, and it can reduce conflict and confusion. If you're in a blended family, it's worth considering as a strategy to help everyone adjust and grow together in a balanced way.

Whether or not Nacho parenting works for you, it’s clear that the key to successful blended family dynamics is respect, patience, and understanding. Have you tried this approach? Let me know in the comments how it worked for you!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.