039: A Powerful Parenting Moment
Oct 13, 2022
You may know I have three sons - two biological and one bonus son (stepson). They are my daily motivation to put good energy into the world, inspire me to be and do better, and model for me what authentic growth entails.
Jared, my high school senior, and I had a conversation when he was a high school sophomore. This was in 2020, about three months into the pandemic, just after George Floyd was murdered. I was sitting on the living room couch, working on the computer, and he came out of his room to stand near me.
“I don’t know if what I believe is really what I believe...
Or if it is what you have taught me to believe.”
How might you have responded?
My heart filled with pride.
This was A MOMENT.
In my mind, Jared was grappling with his beliefs and values, his place in this world, and growing into his own identity as a person independent of his parents.
I admitted that a parent’s role is to instill a sense of morals and values into their children when they are younger. And that… Yes, I DID actively influence the shaping of his foundational belief system.
But now, as he has gotten older, it is up to him to question, be curious, seek additional information… and construct his foundation - which may or may not align with mine.
Over two years later, this moment still takes my breath away. I have always dreamed of raising kind, empathetic, compassionate, thoughtful men - and seeing them flourish in the world.
As we explore options for his next step in life, I hope he will continue striving for clarity and stand strong in his convictions and sense of self.
