Are you a good steward? Not to be misconstrued with being a good citizen (conduct), samaritan (sacrificial help), or having integrity (morally sound). All excellent characteristics of being a valuable person.
Stewardship (being responsible) should be the main character in the book of parenting. But are we missing the mark? We diligently empower parents to be leaders, go-getters, load-carriers, and capitalize on every opportunity to gain more knowledge and wealth. At what point do we impact them by educating on the importance of responsibility for the persons and things residing within their households.
Not preaching. Just in wonder.
I could say growth and development begin in the womb — which they do — but honestly, this unique combo of maturation can be served up at any stage of life. You can literally start a path to evolution today. From infancy to adulthood, and everything in-between, human development is faced with many challenges and milestones; we all sometimes struggle with finding resolutions and relying on the popular option to just wing it. And that’s where stewardship comes in: being accountable, building sustainability, and most importantly, living with purpose.
What are you growing and developing?
As we explore, let’s commence by asking ourselves: how can our children entrust us to be good stewards over them this school year? Start there. Your discovery will be endless and as simple as just showing up willingly and being intentional.
- Children don’t need you to feel as though you own them. They need you to care deeply for their wellbeing.
- Children don’t need you to live vicariously through their lives. They need you to be a present participant in their purpose.
- Children don’t need you to only teach them the rights and wrongs. They need to see you model wisdom and values.
- Children don’t seek perfection as much as we do. They desire guides, routines, and resilience to gain a responsible mindset to navigate the world.
As editor at Memphis Parent, I have taken pride in responsibly managing the content and resources we share with our diverse readers and community (young and seasoned). Since my first day in early 2023, it has been a true honor to lean into the conversations, endeavors, and celebrations of what it means to be a parent. And as I continue my purposeful adventures, it is bittersweet to announce that I am transitioning away as editor but thrilled to share the exciting news that Memphis Parent will be welcoming its first-ever Dad to take the helm.
Meet Jeff Hulett, y’all: an experienced writer, media guru, and talented musician! Who am I kidding? You already know him from his heartfelt “Dad Libs” features. I don’t doubt Jeff will continue advancing the mission and vision as he expands Memphis Parent even further. Be sure to catch more in his inaugural issue this fall.
Farewell to my last “Editor’s Note.” It’s been glorious. Oh, and I’m not quite saying goodbye — looking forward to continuing as a contributor (wink).
As we kick off the 2026-27 school year, the journey is plain and the future awaits great stewards. So train responsibly.
See you around, my friends!
Erika Cain
Editor