Parenting is a high-stakes balancing act. Every parent wants their children to grow up rooted in truth—clear about right and wrong—while also feeling deeply loved and supported through the inevitable stumbles along the way. Striking this balance is challenging but essential to raising confident, grounded kids who can navigate life with integrity and heart.

Tom Ziglar, who is Zig Ziglar's son, captures this idea perfectly: "Truth without grace wounds; grace without truth weakens."

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This idea is a blueprint every parent should take seriously. Because if we don't take this seriously, we can be adding to the problem of what's happening with bullying, teasing, shaming, etc. All the bad stuff that no kid should have to endure.

"To be a wise parent, you have to grow up yourself." ~ Kristianne Wargo

Kids won't truly respect honesty if it's served cold without compassion. You must draw them in to change the heart.

Yet if we soften every correction with empty kindness, we risk raising children who lack the backbone to face real-world challenges.

This is the fundamental paradox.

How do you parent currently? Think about how you react or respond to a good situation versus a bad or challenging situation.

Parenting demands both honesty and empathy, and it's our job to model both—even though we're far from perfect ourselves.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Model truth and grace!

And when you're an imperfect mama, what does this look like? How do you go from not knowing to knowing, yet leading with truth and grace?

So what does living by this truth-and-grace balance look like day to day? Here are three clear ways parents can embody this principle:

1. Speak the Truth with Compassion — Not Criticism Instead of "You forgot your homework again—why can't you get it right?" try "I noticed your homework wasn't in your bag today. What's making it tough to remember?" Look at the difference: One wounds your child's confidence; the other opens a conversation that shows you care about the problem AND your child. Truth isn't diluted here, but it's wrapped in grace that encourages growth—not shame.

2. Hold Expectations Firmly, But Offer Safe Spaces to Fail Kids need boundaries. They need to hear "No," and "You must finish what you start." But they also need to know that messing up won't make you love them any less. When your child makes a mistake, say something like, "You didn't do your best on this test, and that's okay. Let's figure out how to improve for next time." Truth is maintained—they need to face consequences or challenges—but grace offers encouragement to try again without fear.

3. Model Vulnerability and Humility No parent has all the answers. Admit it. Saying "I made a mistake too" or "I'm still figuring this out, just like you" models honesty and shows your child that imperfection isn't failure. It teaches critical thinking and problem-solving because it normalizes asking questions and learning over time, rather than pretending to have it all together.

The tough part? None of this happens by accident. It requires daily commitment and self-awareness.

But when you get it right, you build kids who understand truth as a foundation—not a weapon—and grace as strength—not weakness. They'll grow into adults who solve problems with clear eyes and warm hearts. And that's parenting that lasts.

Let's leave behind empty platitudes and start building your family on the solid ground of truth and grace.

"Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!"

#ConfessionsOfAnUpsetMama #CreateYourNow #TodaysParent

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Song ID: 68209 Song Title: Overcomer Writer(s): Ben Glover, Chris Stevens, David Garcia Copyright © 2013 Meaux Mercy (BMI) Moody Producer Music (BMI) One Songs (ASCAP) Ariose Music (ASCAP) Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ. (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.