Afterword

The parenting act is an act of modeling. As children, many of us played with modeling clay. Opening a brand new package was exciting. The clay was smooth, perfect, untouched, and just waiting for us to form it into whatever shape our imaginations and little fingers could create. It could be whatever we wanted it to be: a prince or a frog; a great sailing ship or a dinghy; a work of art or a big fat blob that just lay on the table. It all depended on how much time and effort we put into our creation. Some of us were born with a natural talent, and modeling our masterpiece came easy. Some of us had to work a little harder at it, but as we practiced we got better. Regardless of whether we were little Michelangelos or all thumbs, there was satisfaction in knowing that when we opened that package of clay, it was no different than the clay that lay in front of our playmates. It was totally up to us to mold it and change it into something that we would be proud to give our moms on Mother's Day. Now that was power!

Modeling is the essence of all parent-child relationships. Children are models of their parents. After all, humans don't give birth to giraffes or moths! Modeling is the indisputable interaction between parent and child that determines a child's success or failure in life. All of us at all times are either modeling or being modeled by another individual, but at no time is it of greater consequence than in childhood. As a parent, it is your duty to model to your children a life of excellence and success; to create a world in which, through emulation, they will thrive and grow to be autonomous, joyous human beings.

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