"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas Salk

The first time I heard this quote, it made me think. The two sound contradictory - roots and wings: one to tie us to the ground and the other to enable us to fly away.

As I thought about it, however, I realized that, in fact, it clearly summed up the two primary responsibilities we have as parents: to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which our children can grow, and to prepare them for the time when they will "leave the nest."

So how do we give our children roots and wings?

Of course the roots come first. We provide a safe home where our children develop a sense of belonging, and where they can grow and become strong.

To help our children develop strong roots, we can learn a few thing from gardeners. They will tell you that, when you first plant a seed, you don