Beware: These 13 Parenting Decisions Often Lead to Family Debates

Throughout the years, how a person parents their child has changed. Even throughout different cultures, parenting trends and decisions vary depending on values, societal expectations, family needs, etc. While there's no one perfect way to raise a child, some people believe that their way is the only way. Some parenting decisions can often spark hot-topic family debates, especially if you parent differently than someone you know. This also rings true for families. When you become a parent, you may choose a course different from your parents' or grandparents.' This can sometimes feel like an attack on their parenting, causing defensiveness to rise.

Steer clear of these most popular controversial parenting decision topics to avoid drama or heated debates. Of course, if you enjoy the drama, by all means, these are the topics that will help you start a heated debate in some families. (Read: 14 Parenting Myths That Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good)

In today's society, not everyone can stay home with their children. Additionally, not everyone wants that. Some parents are career-oriented, have worked hard to get to where they are in their career, or prefer to work outside the house. While the benefits and downfalls of daycare versus staying home are up for debate, it always comes down to what works best for your specific family.

One common debate among parents is the breastfed is best versus being fed is best, which has long been a controversial topic. While breastfeeding has many benefits, bottle feeding is also a viable and sometimes necessary choice. Some moms are unable to breastfeed, and no amount of trying harder is going to change that. Other moms must prioritize their mental health, and bottle feeding helps them. Regardless, this remains a controversial topic in many families.

Should you circumcise your baby right away? Is it better to leave the decision up to him when he is older? The mindset around circumcision has been changing in Western society for some time; however, for the longest period, this practice was standard. This, of course, has led to older generations not genuinely understanding why a person would choose uncircumcision for their son.

What is sleep training? Is it too harsh for a young baby? Does it mean just leaving them in their crib to cry it out? There are so many controversial topics surrounding sleep training that if you mention you are sleep training your baby, you may be met with a flabbergasted look. On the other hand, if you mention you are entirely against sleep training, some may be dead set against hearing your reasons why.

Sometimes, toddlers are runners. This can leave parents uneasy and anxious when out in public. Enter the harness backpacks. Even though they provide many parents with a more peaceful mind, that doesn't stop them from receiving the "look."

Some people are against the harness backpacks because it looks like you are 'walking' your child much like a pet. "Just teach them to hold your hand," some will say. Regardless of your stance on the hot-button topic, there's no denying it can be pretty controversial.

I didn't know sippy cups were controversial until I had my own child. Some will argue that you should go straight to a regular cup because they will have to learn eventually.

While this is true, others will validly argue, what is the harm in protecting your floors and avoiding having to clean up 100 messes daily? Also, is a sippy cup really that much different from an adult using a Stanley cup or another cup with a lid?

Screen time is one of the most controversial decisions out there when it comes to parenting. Should you allow it? What are the adverse effects, and what are the benefits? Everyone has a firm opinion on this topic.

Some people have the stance that c-sections are the easy way out. Others feel like what they choose to do with their body during birth is up to them. Regardless, either way of birthing a baby is pretty epic, and all mothers should be given props.

How you discipline your child is often a parenting decision that ignites family debates. Are you being too soft? Too hard? What about spanking? Do time-outs work? As parents navigate the best way to discipline their specific child, it's easy for onlookers to judge, and judge hard they will. This is especially true as more and more young parents choose to move away from the physical discipline and use a more gentle and authoritative parenting approach.

Baby-led weaning takes a step back from offering purees and allows babies to feed themselves with foods similar to what the whole family eats. For example, parents would give their baby normal peas for dinner instead of pea puree. However, this parenting decision is often controversial because of concerns about safety and nutrition.

Do you use a pacifier or skip it altogether? This is one of the main questions for new moms. Some studies show that using a pacifier can reduce the risk of SIDS. However, there may also be risks with dental issues or ear infections if a baby is addicted to their pacifier. Not to mention, sometimes those pacis are so hard to get rid of!

Homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds. As more parents take their child's education into their own hands, others are flabbergasted at the mere thought. Concerns about socialization and keeping up with peers are the hot-button topics. However, those in favor of homeschooling often have concerns about safety, a failing system, and having the freedom for their child to learn at their own pace.

Co-sleeping is controversial because it can come with safety concerns. Parents are often discouraged from sharing a bed with a baby because of the SIDs and suffocation risks. Yet, co-sleeping doesn't have to mean bed-sharing. Some families share a room with their baby in a separate crib or bassinet. Additionally, many excellent co-sleepers are safe but also convenient for families.

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to parenting. Every family is different. As parents, it is our job to be in tune with our children and figure out what works best for them and us as a family. Of course, that doesn't mean almost everyone doesn't have an opinion on parenting decisions. So, if you want to avoid being judged hard at the next family reunion by your great aunt Betty, stay away from these parenting decisions that can often spark hot-topic family debates. (Read: Everything You Need to Know About Authoritarian Parenting)