LeBron James is more than just an outstanding athlete. He is a husband, father and, at will, Zhuri's foot rest.
Recently, NBA frontman LeBron James was spotted on wife Savannah's Instagram page, being a dad unbothered. Savannah shared a photo of their youngest child and only daughter, three-year-old Zhuri Nova, casually resting her foot on her dad's face:
Too cute! And while it may've been the the first time we saw Zhuri's feet on Bron's cheek, it wouldn't be the first time we witnessed Lebron wrapped around her finger.
Back in December, LeBron took a break in the middle of his game against the Chicago Bulls to hustle up some candy after Zhuri asked for some from the stands.
And not long ago, James jokingly commented that he can't "have anything" without going half with his little lady:
LeBron and Zhuri's sweet bond reminds us of a pattern we see in some of the most successful men in the NBA - that their little girls are the center of their world.
Take Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and his oldest daughter, Riley. Back in 2015, a then three-year-old Riley joined Steph on a number of post-game press conferences, a result of which was Steph's inability to say, "No," to his mini-me:
"I was in the hallway walking past the family room, and my wife and daughter were sitting in there in the hallway. I told my wife I had to go do media, so I'd be right back, and... she had asked Riley if she wanted to go with me, and Riley had told her 'yes' before I even got around the corner. I was like, 'No, I'll just go do it real quick.' Then Riley gave me that look, like, 'No, I'm going with you.' She wasn't taking 'no' for an answer at that point."
And let's not forget Steph and Riley's father-daughter handshake, and pre-game ritual before games:
Just last week, retired Lakers player and father of three girls, Kobe Bryant, was spotted trying to watch the 2018 Super Bowl at home, but not without reading 1-year-old Bianka Bella Bryant a book on demand. And if you think Kobe didn't read that book while watching that game at the same (damn) time, think again!
That speed-reading though? Hilarious.
At the end of the day, these men may be the king of the court, but at home, their daughters are the queen of running things. How is it that someone so small could be the biggest thing in a man's world? We guess that's a secret best kept between a father and his daughter.
But it's beautiful to see these men debunk the myth that kids are a distraction, and instead, prove family is an integral part of their success, with their daughters being a major motivation.
To the world, these men are MVPs. But to their girls, they're "MVD's" (Most Valuable Dads).
And we're just enjoying the view of both.
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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