Around 2 am on June 18, 1980, my wife, Jan, woke me up to
tell me it was time. Our firstborn
was on the way! I immediately
jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to get ready to head to the
hospital. But in the bathroom, I
stopped, looked myself in the mirror, and in a panic said, “I’m not ready for
this!”
At that moment, like every first-time parent, I had no idea
how to be a parent. Though my
parents and grandparents were fantastic role models and caregivers, watching
someone parent and parenting are two very different things.
Wouldn’t We Love
Having An “Owner’s Manual” to Parenting?
Wouldn’t it be great if our kids came to us with an owner’s
manual? A built-in how-to manual
giving us step-by-step instructions on how to raise them? And to make it even better, how about
adding in a parenting guru or two to offer advice along the way?
My own daughter is now 38 years old. My son is 35. And Jan and I now have five grandchildren. I’ve learned a lot about parenting (and
grandparenting) over the last 38 years—much of it through trial and error, gut
instinct, learning from others, and from my kids themselves. I’ve had to create my own “owner’s
manual” from my own life.
But about 12 years ago, I discovered that our kids do come
with an owner’s manual, if we know how to look. While this manual doesn’t provide step by step instructions,
it does give foundational insights into our boys and girls that can offer us
significant guidance and direction.
That owner’s manual is the brain.
About 12 years ago I was introduced to the work of Dr.
Michael Gurian. In my work as a
pastor I was just beginning to come to terms with the challenges that boys are
facing in life, school, the church, and culture. I was so moved by Michael’s work and insights that I sent
him an email assuming that this famous New York Times Best-Selling Author
wouldn’t have the time to respond back.
But he did! The very next
day!
And his response began what is now a 12-year friendship and
partnership in working with people like you on the issues of our boys and
girls, using the brain as our starting point.
Out of that friendship we’ve created both secular and
faith-based Rites of Passage programs for girls and boys, 12 – 14 years old
(www.timwrightministries.org) and we are honored to provide amazing Helping
Boys Thrive Summits together (www.helpingboysthrive.org).
Now, fully engaging with new technologies, we are also
launching a new podcast called The Wonder
of Parenting. Each weekly 25
to 30 minute episode will focus on the daily issues you as parents face and we
will always use brain science research, best practices, and our own experiences
as parents to help you connect with the wonder of parenting.
My role is to serve as the host. On your behalf I get to pick Michael’s brain on all things
parenting. Michael is a treasure
trove of insight, experience, heart, soul, and love for what he does. To have access to him weekly, to hear
his parenting stories, to take his insights into the brains of our sons and
daughters and apply them to parenting makes for a one-of-a-kind, unique
parenting resource.
A Treasure Trove of
Topics, Science, and Common Sense
In the 12 years I’ve known Michael I’ve heard him speak
countless times. He and I have
spent hours and hours talking on the phone or in the car or at events. And yet, in every podcast we have
recorded, I learn something new.
The topics are always current and practical, ranging from
“how moms and dads parent differently” to “best screen time practices for
different ages of kids” to “the importance of family meals” to “raising kids in
a gender fluid world” to “when and how to talk about sex” and much more. And each of these important topics is
rooted in brain science, so the insights Michael offers stand the test of time.
Parenting should be a wonder-filled experience, even when it
is tough going. Our podcasts will
be very positive experiences, and we promise to find the heights and depths of
the journey with you.
The Wonder of
Parenting is free but priceless! I hope you’ll subscribe and tell your
friends to do the same. Listen to
us in the car, while you’re working out, or over a cup of coffee as you take a
mental break. I know you’ll walk
away with a deeper sense of wonder and awe at the privilege of being a parent.
To learn more, to subscribe, or to post a question for a
future podcast, check out our website:
www.wonderofparenting.com
