You know, Brene Brown’s idea that “Who we are and how we engage…” is a game-changer. It shifts the entire parenting conversation from a checklist of techniques to the quality of your own presence. It’s less about what you do and more about who you are being in those tough moments.
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Meaning
The core message is simple but profound: Your character and your daily interactions are a far more powerful teaching tool than any parenting book or “expert” strategy you could ever learn.
Explanation
Let me break this down. We get so caught up in the *what*—what time is bedtime, what are the rules for screen time, what is the “right” way to discipline. And look, those things have their place. But what Brown is telling us, and what I’ve seen proven true time and again, is that our children are absorbing our *way of being*. They are learning from how we handle stress. How we treat the cashier at the grocery store. How we apologize when we mess up. That’s the real curriculum. Your integrity, your empathy, your courage—or lack thereof—that’s what they’re mirroring. It’s the ultimate case of “more is caught than taught.”
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Relationship (329) |
| Topics | authenticity (101), connection (265), role modeling (5) |
| Literary Style | didactic (370), insightful (43) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 82 (297) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes straight from Brené Brown’s work, specifically her audiobook “The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting,” which was published in 2013. It’s a common one to see floating around social media, and it’s always correctly attributed to her. You won’t find it mistakenly credited to other parenting gurus; this is pure, uncut Brené Brown wisdom.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection (35) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Who we are and how we engage with the world are much stronger predictors of how our children will do than what we know about parenting |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2013; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1611801053; Last edition: 1st Edition (Sounds True, 2013). Number of pages: 160. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2013 edition, Chapter: Modeling Courage |
