Over the past week or two, I’ve spent a lot of time parenting and gardening – and reflecting on both. I have been doing kindergarten outside in the garden with my five-year old daughter every morning (that it hasn’t rained). She waters the plants, and I pluck the weeds. And, of course, we read, talk and write together.

Watering and Weeding
It strikes me that that there is a parallel between parenting and gardening in concerted cultivation. If I want the garden to thrive (and not the weeds), I need to be diligent about watering and weeding. When I do those two things, I can enjoy the beauty of the garden. Likewise in parenting, I need to be diligent in nurturing and correcting. When I do those two things, I enjoy the beauty of our relationship. If I fail to nurture, my daughter will wilt like a flower without water; if I nurture without correcting, she’ll grow, but her character will be laced with weeds. If I correct without nurture, I may get rid of the weeds, but her character won’t blossom.

What wisdom can you share in cultivating your relationship with your kids?

Graham Scharf is a father of two, and co-founder of Tumblon.com. He blogs at Essential Questions and produces a podcast series for parents of young children. You can follow him on Twitter @tumblondad.

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