“Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay. No one knows anything. … As a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. … The trick was to get past my fears, my ego, and my inadequacies to help them [learn to live as themselves in the world.] …

“Even today, I’m not sure what worked and what didn’t, what was me and what was simply life. …Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be.”

-- Anna Quindlen, from ‘Good-bye Dr. Spock’ in her book, ‘Loud and Clear’

Do you have a parenting story that would support other parents? Please share it with us! Write to me (Patrice) at women at heart.