Giving Our Children Roots and Wings

This quote by Hodding Carter is one of my favorite parenting quotes: “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings.”

In our family, we’ve used a combination of love (“How to Help Each of Your Children Feel Special”), Montessori principles (“Top 10 Montessori Principles for Natural Learning”), and striving to follow God to help give our children both roots and wings.

My husband uses the term “God-centered parenting” to describe the process of helping children develop a faith in God, through which they’ll develop an inner strength and self-confidence that won’t easily be shaken. God-centered parenting opens up the spiritual realm for children to learn from and helps them focus on following God’s plan for their lives.

Isaiah 40:31 seems very appropriate as a goal for our children (and grandchildren):

“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”