What is your parenting style? Are you more like the Wind or the Sun?

Once upon a time, the Wind and the Sun made a bet. They spotted a traveler bundled in his jacket and decided to see who could get him to remove it.

The Wind went first, starting with a soft breeze and gradually picking up speed. He blew harder and harder, thinking that force was the way to win. But the stronger the Wind blew, the more the traveler wrapped himself in his coat, holding on tighter than ever.

Then it was the Sun’s turn. She emerged from behind the clouds and began to shine, her rays warm and gentle. Little by little, the traveler felt himself warming up, until he eventually shrugged off his coat on his own.

The Sun won the bet—not with force, but with warmth, patience, and connection.

The lesson for us as parents?

Sometimes it’s tempting to think that pushing harder—whether through raising our voices or trying to control situations—will get the outcome we want. But often, it’s the opposite approach that works best. When we connect with our children through gentleness, collaboration, playfulness, and warmth, they’re far more likely to open up, listen, and feel understood and ultimately collaborate.

In a world that often demands quick solutions and hasty results, let’s remember the gentle power of the Sun’s warmth in our everyday parenting.

I hope you’ll feel this warmth whenever you step through our doors at Academicus :)

X Mags Salton