Sunset Session on Navarre Beach | Dougherty Family: Navarre Family Photographer

“Here’s the thing, effective parenting and, more specifically, effective discipline, don’t require punishment. Equating discipline with punishment is an unfortunate, but common misconception. The root word in discipline is actually disciple which in the verb form means to guide, lead, teach, model, and encourage. In the noun form disciple means one who embraces the teaching of, follows the example of, and models their life after.”

― L.R. Knost, The Gentle Parent

It may seem strange that I’m quoting from a parenting book when I am not even yet a parent myself, but after coming across a quote from one of L.R. Knost’s books on Instagram a few weeks ago, I was instantly drawn to read more of the words she’d strewn together about parenting, love, adulthood, and life. I have not yet actually read these books, but after perusing through and bookmarking much of her work online, I know that I will find her book in hand when the season of parenting arrives for me.

Nonetheless, the above quote does have everything to do with the intricately woven hearts and ever-developing personalities of our dear friends Brooke and Shane and the family they are rearing together. I have known Shane for almost a decade, as he is one of Preston’s longest and dearest friends from 3rd Force in the Marine Corps. As with most long friendships, we’ve experienced quite a bit of life with Shane over the past decade. He recently returned home from a deployment and this past week we got to spend some genuine, quality time in Navarre, FL with him, Brooke, and the kids. From getting all of my baby cuddles and coos in with Miss Maggie, to spending some genuine girl time with Brooke, I felt like I got to truly soak in the love, life, and discipline that make up their little family.

From watching Shane discipline the boys with friendly wall squats and sit-down talks about “why” a reprimand occurred, to observing Brooke gently work at relinquishing the reigns of parenting three children alone for nine months, Preston and I both left with observant, full hearts at how beautiful the two of them execute parenting together.

“Our children are children for such a small season of life. Let their laughter ring out, their imaginations soar, their feet stomp in puddles, their hands clap for joy. Too soon they will grow up and out of their youthful exuberance and zest and settle into the life and routine of adulthood.”