Standing for Strength-Based Parenting in a World Obsessed with Weakness
We live in a world that often fixates on weaknesses, especially when it comes to parenting and our children’s behavior. But lately, I’ve discovered a beautiful approach that flips this entirely upside down.
This weekend we visited a cozy Italian restaurant, and our waiter was a kind teenage boy who quickly observed the humorous chaos that comes with dining out with a toddler. Mid-meal, Otto kept escaping our booth, determinedly running toward—of all things—a restaurant trash can. Initially embarrassed, I chased after him, only to realize Otto was passionately reciting lines from Alice in Wonderland. In that moment, our waiter smiled knowingly, gently teasing, “Dealing with a flight risk?”
Instinctively, and perhaps overly assertively, I responded, “Oh no—he just has a brilliant imagination.”
Reflecting on my reaction later, I felt a mixture of embarrassment and pride. Embarrassed because of my assertive tone, yet profoundly proud for instinctively choosing to see Otto’s creative and curious spirit rather than labeling his behavior negatively.
This small yet powerful moment has reaffirmed Lea Waters’ wisdom of strength-based parenting. “We may feel so pressured to help our children grow into the person society says they should be that we may not be allowing them to grow into the person they actually are.”
Inspired by this realization, I’m excited to integrate a few strength-based principles into our summer program, WILD by Design, helping families see the magic within their children—just as I saw it in Otto that evening.
Because parenting, after all, should celebrate who our children truly are. ⭐️