Lighthouse Parents Article

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last year, our Brighton Primary School leadership team shared the attached article, “Lighthouse Parents Have More Confident Kids” by Russell Shaw (The Atlantic, 2024). It offers thoughtful and timely insights into the long-term benefits of stepping back at key moments so our children can step forward. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, we highly recommend doing so.

Several reflections from the article resonated deeply with us:

“We’re biologically wired to prevent our children’s suffering… but a young person who grows accustomed to having a parent intervene begins to believe they’re not capable of acting on their own.”

“When parents seek to control outcomes for their kids, they are trading short-term wins for long-term thriving.”

“Sometimes what a child needs is simply to be acknowledged: ‘Wow, that sounds like a lot.’ ‘I can tell you are working really hard.’ ‘Do you have ideas about what you want to do?’”

The article makes a compelling case for the Lighthouse Parent—a calm, steady presence who provides guidance, boundaries, and reassurance, while allowing children the space to navigate challenges independently. It suggests that when we resist the urge to immediately fix problems and instead practise patient listening, we help build resilience, confidence, and emotional growth in our children.

We encourage you to read the article (if you haven't already) and reflect on the powerful impact of parenting with long-term flourishing in mind.

Warm regards,

Deb Barden - Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Angie Fifer - Inclusive Education

Tatjana Linklater - Teaching & Learning Specialist

Riley Hall - Assistant Principal

Steve Meade - Principal