The Rooted Parent is a blog with the purpose to inform, enrich and encourage families in facing the challenge of raising children in a manner that is educated, logical, compassionate and biblical. 

Our belief is that when parenting is “rooted” in something greater than tradition, habit, assumptions, and the status quo – that parents will be able to create environments in which their children thrive. 

In casting off the old ways of thinking, and stretching our worldview as parents – we believe we can elevate our children, our families and our communities to reshape our society into a place that values truth, wisdom, forgiveness, healing, and love.

Our Philosophy

We believe that “rooted” parenting starts with four foundational pillars.

Research  We believe that parents should be lifelong learners.  There is a strong need for child development literacy, which is foundational in understanding why our children act the ways they do, and the science behind each age and stage. Additionally, established and ongoing scientific research on the topics of parenting and child development should inform our parenting decisions.

Scripture  We believe the scriptures provide guidance to us as parents.  In understanding the type of people we were created to be, we can find the strength, wisdom, and instruction needed to be parents filled with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Critical Thinking  We believe that as parents we are tasked with becoming “professional problem solvers” for our families.  We must keep an open mind in finding the best solutions for the challenges involved in our daily lives as parents.  Sometimes these solutions are nuanced and multi-faceted, other times they are simple and easy to understand.  Being able to think critically is a core competency in understanding, internalizing and applying these solutions to our lives.

Love  We believe that love is at the heart of all effective parenting.  It is the motivation that drives us to learn, gives us grace to fail, and generates the perseverance needed to continue on our parenting journey.

Our Tenets

We affirm discipline We reject punishment
We affirm cooperation We reject control
We affirm honor We reject shame
We affirm peace We reject violence
We affirm community We reject isolation