Sheryl Lee Ralph talks about her parenting style and how it affected her relationship with her kids

Each emerging generation of parents believes they've mastered the art of parenting, yet the degree of success varies. Amid these variations, certain foundational principles persist, such as the rejection of physical punishment as a means of disciplining children. This is a parenting guideline that garners our unwavering support. Interestingly, this is a guideline that also resonates with Sheryl Lee Ralph, a beloved figure in American Television. Lee Ralph has recently been sharing her insights on parenting, shedding light on crucial subjects such as early childhood development and the contentious issue of corporal punishment. As a revered personality, her perspectives hold significant weight in this discourse.

There is a lot to being a parent. Sometimes, you know what you are supposed to do and what you should not, but following through these can be a challenge. For instance, every parent knows that it is not good to compare their kids' achievements with other kids, which, for many, is easier to say and difficult to comply with. As they say, taking a deep breath can often allow you a few seconds to calm down, which is helpful in many cases. "Please stop yanking your children around, please stop hitting and beating your children. Most times, when you're doing that, you are out of control. If your children are tap dancing on your last nerve, hug them," Lee Ralph said in an interview with POPSUGAR.

The "Abbott Elementary" star is hopeful of new parents and she encourages them to allow their kids to walk their pace. She said this was something she learned while parenting her youngest child, Ivy-Victoria Maurice "Coco." Lee Ralph told the outlet while talking about her daughter, "She did not talk for a year. We were so concerned. We thought something was going on: Is she developmentally challenged? What is happening?"

Despite the data from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which states that most kids start mimicking simple words or at least trying to speak by 6 to 7 months, Coco took over a year. While promoting her partnership with MadeGood and its back-to-school campaign, which donates money to teachers all across the country, she said, "She just wasn't ready to talk. She was not ready to share her voice." Lee Ralph and Coco are very close now and work together as well. She said she continued to learn so much about herself from her kids.

It was due to the persistence of Coco, who pushed and encouraged Lee Ralph to go to therapy after her 31-year-old son was mugged and killed in 2013. Coco told her mother, "Mommy, you need therapy because you have been traumatized." After the initial denial and resistance, she told PEOPLE that she gave in to her request. This mother-daughter duo does their mental health practices to stay sane and healthy. Ralph also talks about the importance of breathing and says, "When you see it on TV and people are losing it and they say, 'Breathe, breathe,' I thought that was just a line. But it's not just a line. It's a way of being." That is exactly why she believes breathing is an asset in parenting as well.

As for the final parenting tip from this fabulous mother and actor, "The education of your children is a partnership. Do not expect teachers to do everything for your child on their own." Her father was a teacher, so she understands their importance. That is also one of the driving forces behind her donating $200,000 across the US to 1000 nominated teachers by partnering up with MadeGood in its Share Some Good Fund initiative. She has spoken to enough teachers to know that they are more often than not in need of extra funds in their classrooms. And if she can help them do better, she sure will. Kudos to her, our favorite mother on television.