“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We forget sometimes that we are not raising children, but raising adults. That is not to say we rob our children of childhood and treat them as adults while they are children. It is that we instil the skills and understanding that will see them into adulthood and a thriving life in family, vocation and society.

Give your children a safe haven in the non judgment of the family. Let them explore and make mistakes and learn from them. Welcome them when they return from life adventure and listen while they share what they learned. Give them confidence by respecting their individuality and growing mastery of independence.  We all want to be perfect parents. But do you know our success is in our own eventual redundancy? Is it letting your son tie his own shoes, or allowing your daughter the first sleepover? How can you show your child today that you believe in him or her and trust their growing personal authority?

Me agapi (with love),

Marilyn