Lead with Values: A Foundation for Parenting
When transitioning into parenthood, there are so many things to think about. All kinds of questions bubble up like, “What kind of parent do I want to be?” or “How will I know what to do?” On top of wrestling with your confidence as a parent, you face decisions about whether to vaccinate your child, if you’ll breastfeed, where you’ll give birth, and so much more.
Well-meaning friends and family often offer unsolicited advice about how you should parent. Add to that the countless research articles, studies, podcasts, doctors, practitioners, and educators sharing conflicting evidence, and it’s no wonder parents often feel overwhelmed.
You’re doing everything you can to make informed choices and be the best parent you can be to your precious baby. But when you’ve read every book, listened to the podcasts, and talked with those you love—and still feel unsure—there’s another way forward: follow the lead of your values.
Why Values Matter in Parenthood
When fear is at the center of your decisions, it can create feelings of helplessness and pressure to find the one “right” answer. But when you let your values lead, you shift the focus inward, toward the core of who you are.
Your values act as anchors. They don’t eliminate the hard decisions, but they give you clarity. They remind you of what truly matters—whether that’s compassion, patience, faith, curiosity, honesty, or resilience. With values at the center, you can trust that even if your parenting decisions look different from others’, they’re aligned with the kind of family you’re building.
Surrendering to the Journey
At the end of the day, parenting is less about perfect decision-making and more about surrender. Surrender to who your child is and what their unique personality brings to your family. Surrender to who you are as a parent—the strengths you carry and the areas you’re still growing in. And surrender to what God has in store for your journey.
Parenting doesn’t come with a neat checklist or clear-cut answers. But leading with values ensures that no matter what choices you face, you’re moving forward with intention, peace, and love at the heart of it all.