26/07/2026
Today, a school teacher taught me something about parenting. đł
We were discussing our childrenâs education, career choices and future.
I told him that I believe once children thoughtfully choose their path, our role as parents gradually changes from deciding to supporting.
Then he gave me an analogy that stayed with me.
He said:
âLook at a tree. Every branch naturally finds its own direction. If you constantly force a branch to grow somewhere else, it may never flourish the way it could have.â
I stopped for a moment.
How often do we parentsâout of loveâtry to decide the direction of our childrenâs lives?
We have experience.
We know their strengths.
We want to protect them from mistakes.
So guidance is necessary.
But perhaps there comes a point when guidance must become trust.
Give them strong roots:
Values.
Education.
Discipline.
Character.
Love.
And thenâŚ
give them some sky. â¤ď¸
A beautiful tree doesnât need every branch growing in the same direction.
Neither does a family.
đż Guide the roots. Support the branches. Let them find their sky.
What do you thinkâhow much should parents guide, and when should they let children choose?
â Dr. Sunil Goel
Simplify to Thrive