LatinosUSA

«What is a Good Parent?» by Etya Vasserman Krichmar

A good parent is not flawless, nor untouchable.
A good parent is human, but responsible.

They love without conditions, as if love were the air their child breathes.
They stand as shelter when sour weather brews,
And as sunlight when shadows linger for too long.

They listen to the tremble in a voice,
The sigh was tucked into the corner of a room. Not just words but to silences.

They guide with an open hand, not a closed fist,
teaching choices instead of chains,
Freedom laced with responsibility.

Their lessons are not carved into lectures,
but engraved in their own lived experiences — how they rise after falling, how they speak with kindness, and how they admit, “I was wrong.”

A good parent celebrates each fragile victory, and when failure happens, they don’t take away the burden but help their child become strong enough to carry it.

They change as their children change, learning and unlearning,
always reaching toward the bond that matters most.

In the end, being a good parent isn’t about being perfect. It’s about loving fiercely, guiding gently, and staying a compass even when the way is dark.

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Author Bio

Etya Vasserman Krichmar, a Soviet Union refugee who fled to the USA in 1978, has a powerful story of overcoming adversity. Born in Kazakhstan but listed as Jewish by the Soviets, Etya endured a harsh regime where religion was banned. Her passion for writing, reignited after a near-death experience in 2008, has led to recognition from MasticadoresUSA and publications in several literary magazines. She is an active member of various writing communities, including Life Writers and Write from Your Center, and contributes to local writing groups.