When formulating a response to a situation, these eight questions by author L.R. Knost, can guide you to a place of compassion, empathy and clearer intention in your parenting. This approach will ultimately guide your child to solve his or her own problem or identify what led them to success and lead to growth for both parent and child. Responding with gentleness does not mean that we don't have boundaries. Quite the opposite. We become clearer about the "why" behind our boundaries and therefore, able to hold them with more consistency and greater love.