Parenting

There are only two steps to parenting:

One. Keep them safe.

Two. Set them free.

In some areas of parenting, for example helping your child learn how to walk, you can progress fairly quickly through the steps.

In other areas, for example helping your child learn about their finances, progressing through the steps will take longer.

But no matter what the topic of parenting, the two steps are always the same:

One. Keep them safe (physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually).

Two. Set them free (physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually).

Of course, the above raises several questions:

What is physical safety?
What is emotional safety?
What is intellectual safety?
What is spiritual safety?

What is physical freedom?
What is emotional freedom?
What is intellectual freedom?
What is spiritual freedom?

Finding your own answers to these questions takes time and courage.

It doesn't happen automatically.

And yet, if you can find it within you to explore some of these questions, both alone and with others, you can become a highly effective parent.

You can avoid passing legacy issues to your children. Issues you may have inherited, at least in part, from your parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents.

Remember, this is not about blame, or shame, or an aspiration towards perfect parenting. It's about effective strategies that can lead directly to a better life for you and your offspring.

Remember also the advice given on flights: in the event of turbulence, place the oxygen mask over your own face before helping others with theirs.