The Parent Test - It's All About Respect (S1E9)
Disciplined, traditional and child-led parenting styles take centre stage; kids decide how their parents dress for a professional photo shoot; families must face fear and frustration when they are trapped in a seemingly endless maze.
| Runtime (min) | 43 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-02-23 |
| Genres | Reality, Family |
| Network(s) | ABC |
Storyline
In this episode of The Parent Test, three distinct parenting philosophies—disciplined, traditional, and child-led—are put under the microscope as families navigate challenges designed to reveal how their approaches handle real-world scenarios. The episode centers on two main activities that test parental boundaries and family dynamics in very different ways.
First, children are given complete control over their parents' wardrobe choices for a professional photo shoot, forcing parents to surrender authority over their own appearance and trust their kids' judgment. Then, families must work together to escape a complex maze, an exercise that tests patience, communication, and problem-solving skills under pressure. The maze challenge becomes a crucible for examining how different parenting styles respond to frustration and whether parents can maintain their composure and respect when things don't go according to plan. Throughout both challenges, the episode explores how respect flows between parents and children across different family structures.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode can learn valuable lessons about the importance of mutual respect in family relationships. When kids are given control over the photo shoot styling, they discover that having power over decisions comes with responsibility—their choices directly affect how their parents feel and how the family is represented. This teaches children to consider others' perspectives and feelings when making decisions, even when they have authority.
The maze challenge demonstrates how families can work together through frustration and setbacks. Kids see that getting lost or making mistakes doesn't mean failure; it's an opportunity to communicate, adjust strategies, and support one another. The episode shows children that respect isn't just about obedience—it's a two-way street where parents and kids listen to each other's ideas and value each person's contributions to solving problems.
Perhaps most importantly, children learn that different families can approach the same challenges in different ways and still succeed. Seeing disciplined, traditional, and child-led parenting styles side by side helps kids understand that there's no single "right" way to be a family, and that respect can look different in different households while remaining equally important.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What happens during the photo shoot challenge where kids dress their parents? | Children are given complete control over selecting their parents' outfits for a professional family photo shoot. Parents must wear whatever their kids choose without vetoing or overruling the decisions. This role reversal tests whether parents can relinquish control and trust their children's judgment, while also revealing how children handle responsibility when given authority. The challenge creates moments of humor and vulnerability as families navigate this unusual dynamic, and the resulting photos capture how each family's parenting style influences the outcome. |
| Is the maze challenge appropriate for younger children to watch? | The maze challenge involves families working together to find their way out of a complex labyrinth, which can create moments of frustration and tension. However, the focus is on problem-solving and family communication rather than fear or danger. Younger viewers may relate to the feelings of being lost or confused, and parents can use these scenes to discuss healthy ways to handle frustration. The challenge is presented as a learning experience rather than a scary ordeal, making it generally suitable for family viewing. |
| How does the episode compare the three different parenting styles? | The episode places disciplined, traditional, and child-led parenting approaches side by side during the same challenges, allowing viewers to observe how each style responds to identical situations. Rather than declaring one approach superior, the show examines the strengths and potential drawbacks of each method in real-time scenarios. Parents can see how different families handle authority, decision-making, and conflict, which may prompt reflection on their own practices and spark meaningful conversations about what works best for their unique family dynamics. |
| What does this episode teach about respect between parents and children? | The episode explores respect as a reciprocal relationship rather than a one-way expectation. Through the photo shoot, children learn that having control requires considering others' feelings, while parents practice respecting their kids' choices even when uncomfortable. The maze challenge shows how respect manifests during stress—whether family members listen to each other's ideas, maintain patience when frustrated, and value everyone's contributions. The episode demonstrates that respect looks different across parenting styles but remains essential in all healthy family relationships. |
| Will this episode make my child question our family rules? | Seeing different parenting styles may naturally prompt children to compare their own family's approach to those on screen. This can be a positive opportunity for conversation rather than a challenge to your authority. The episode doesn't advocate for one style over another, which allows parents to discuss why your family makes certain choices and what values guide your decisions. If your child asks why another family does things differently, it's a chance to reinforce your family's principles while acknowledging that different approaches can work for different families. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Families take on the High Dive Challenge and the Yes Day Challenge. |
| 1 | 2 | Families take on the Fine Dining Challenge and the Home Alone Challenge; parents help their kids adapt to unfamiliar situations; the kids are met with an unexpected visitor. |
| 1 | 3 | Strict, high achievement, free range and negotiation parenting styles take front and centre; the parents cope with their own anxiety when they are forced to relinquish control to their kids. |
| 1 | 4 | Strict, high achievement, free range and negotiation parents remain in the hot seat and brave challenges; the families also weigh in on the hot button topic of spanking. |
| 1 | 5 | Disciplined, traditional, child-led and helicopter parents take the spotlight as their families face the equally unnerving Facts of Life and Snake Alert challenges. |
| 1 | 6 | Disciplined, traditional, child-led and helicopter parents take the spotlight as their families face the Unexpected Pick-Up and Driving Me Crazy challenges. |
| 1 | 7 | Intensive, new age and natural families face the Kid in a Candy Store and No Escape Room challenges. |
| 1 | 8 | Strict, high achievement and free-range families return to the hot seat for a new set of challenges that tests the kids' abilities to function without their parents. |
| 1 | 9 | Disciplined, traditional and child-led parenting styles take centre stage; kids decide how their parents dress for a professional photo shoot; families must face fear and frustration when they are trapped in a seemingly endless maze. |
| 1 | 10 | The final two challenges of the season tackle some of the biggest obstacles families face; kids are observed while seeing someone else being bullied; one family takes home the title of the "Most Effective Parenting Style." |
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