Candy Kirby
While a “chat sofa” may sound like the latest daytime talk show, it’s actually a parenting technique that Kate Middleton and Prince William reportedly use with Prince George (6), Princess Charlotte (5) and Prince Louis (2).
So, what is a chat sofa? It’s actually a less punitive form of a time-out.
The Sun reports that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have strong opinions about how kids should be disciplined — and, in particular, are not fans of the “naughty step,” which is apparently what Brits call time-outs. “There’s no ‘naughty step’ but there is a ‘chat sofa,’” a source told the newspaper. “The naughty child is taken away from the scene of the row [fight] or disruption and talked to calmly by either Kate or William. Things are explained and consequences outlined and they never shout at them.”
According to the source, Will and Kate are disciplining the kids in lockstep with Maria Borrallo, the nanny who’s been with the family for years (yes, even through the quarantine). The source says, “Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be. It is a military operation but you would never guess it because they work ferociously hard on their children’s upbringing and making it seem relaxed and happy for the three of them.”
Another one of Kate’s techniques that’s been highlighted in the media: her signature communication move, which reportedly has been adopted by Meghan Markle, Anne Hathaway and others.
Whether she’s speaking with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, or chatting with kids at a royal engagement, she always bends down to meet their eye-line. The reasoning behind that is because making eye contact with children promotes open communication. By meeting kids at their own level, the duchess doesn’t assert her dominance, but rather encourages children to express themselves on equal terms.
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