What Is Parenting With Love and Leadership?

For over forty years, I’ve been on a mission: restoring commonsense and biblical principles to American childrearing. This passion is not just my calling, it’s my assignment—one I cannot refuse. Now, I’m asking you to join me by subscribing and upgrading to a paid subscription. Why? Keep reading…

"Parenting with Love and Leadership," the title of this Substack and my most popular talk, embodies the heart of this mission. First, it means raising children according to a traditional, biblical paradigm—the paradigm that prevailed for thousands of years until the late 1960s, when American parents became convinced of the lie that a PhD psychologist could provide better child-rearing guidance than a 75-year-old great-grandmother who never went past the eighth grade but raised seven children to responsible adulthood.

Second, the biblical paradigm emphasizes the character development of the child as opposed to accomplishments. It emphasizes respect for others as opposed to esteem of self. Children need love and leadership in equal measure.

Third, the biblical paradigm is synonymous with common sense, the things we have written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Too much "love" and too little leadership translates into enabling. Too much authority and not enough love makes abuse of some sort virtually inevitable. In balance - unequivocal parent authority that is always affectionately loving - they anchor a child's life, provide for an abundance of security, and make for a steady sense of well-being.

After retiring my newspaper column, the most widely-read parenting column in American history, I’m now shifting my energy to this Substack and my weekly podcast. A paid subscription will grant you full access to my weekly column, public posts, featured content including audio and video, and early podcast episodes. A free subscription gives you occasional posts and podcast access.

Thank you for supporting this mission. Together, we can set things right, one parent at a time.

John