“We Are Not Raising Them to Obey”

We are not raising them

to obey.

We are raising them

to question.

To ask why the rules exist,

who they serve,

and what happens

when you break them

with purpose.

We are not raising daughters

to be nice.

We are raising them

to be kind—

and know the difference.

To trust the pit in their stomach

more than the praise of strangers.

To name harm

even if it ruins the mood.

We are not raising sons

to be strong.

We are raising them

to be soft without shame.

To love openly,

to cry freely,

to listen deeply—

especially when it’s hard.

We are not raising children

to shrink.

We are raising them

to expand.

To take up space

without apology.

To know their worth

before the world tells them otherwise.

There are no gold stars

for obedience here.

Only celebrations

for courage,

for compassion,

for consent.

For when they say no

and mean it.

For when they say yes

and own it.

We do not punish truth.

We protect it.

Even when it’s messy.

Especially when it’s theirs.

We teach them

not who to be—

but how to be

themselves,

safely,

loudly,

and whole.

Because parenting,

done with intention,

is protest.

And every bedtime story

is a manifesto

in disguise.