Parenting Means ‘To Bring Forth’

The word parenting comes from Latin, meaning “to bring forth.” As parents, it is our responsibility to bring forth our children’s abilities and skills rather than forcing those traits out of them by pushing at them too hard. This seems to make sense in these times because it seems that our kids don’t respond very well anymore to being yelled at and pushed like the kids of yesterday.

In the old days, I didn’t mind my drill sergeant screaming at me or ‘smoking me.’ And the reason I didn’t mind it was because I knew my sergeants cared about me and wanted to help me survive out on the battlefield. I had a lot of coaches that did the same kind of yelling, and I didn’t mind that either. They demanded a lot out of the kids, and they got a lot out of the kids back then, but only when they showed they truly cared.

In regards to today’s softer ‘bringing forth’ parenting style; kids and adults are more like friends and confidants than ever before. And that’s a good thing in some ways. Kids are more intelligent than ever and can do things with technology that we couldn’t even imagine.

However, being a parent is hard work, and tough decisions have to be made all the time. If a parent is more concerned about being a friend instead of that strong parent who tells their child what they need to hear, then that parent really isn’t ‘bringing forth’ the best of their child. That parent is letting their kid slide. And at some point, that slippery slope is going to become very tough to get back up.

Now as my Granddaddy always said, “Go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us.” Always remember that parenting means to bring forth the best is your child. And the best way to do that is through love. Firm, strong love is always the best way to go. And once again parents, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…

Dan Blanchard is a bestselling and award-winning author, speaker, and educator who has been featured in over 100 television and radio shows, as well as several of the World’s Top Ten Podcasts. Now Dan is now co-host of Mindalia TV. Learn more about Dan: www.GranddaddysSecrets.com