The best parenting advice I actually got was from Shane McMahon.

When Daniel Bryan reflected on the words: “The best parenting advice I actually got was from Shane McMahon. He was great with me when Brie was pregnant and all that. He said, ‘When you have that baby, make sure you take care of Brie first,’” he revealed a truth at once humble and profound. For many believe that when a child is born, all focus must shift entirely to the infant. Yet McMahon’s wisdom, which Bryan cherished, reminds us that parenting begins not only with the care of the child but with the continued honoring of the bond between partners.

The origin of this teaching lies in the ancient rhythm of family life. In every culture, it was understood that the well-being of the mother — her body, her spirit, her heart — was central to the flourishing of the child. A mother drained, neglected, or left unsupported cannot give fully to her newborn. Thus, to “take care of Brie first” was not to lessen the care of the child, but to strengthen it at its very root. The advice was not merely about kindness, but about wisdom: the health of the child flows from the health of the mother, and the unity of the household.

History offers us a mirror in the tale of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome, who spoke often in his Meditations of gratitude for his mother and the sacrifices she made. He acknowledged that her steadfastness, nourished by those who supported her, laid the foundation of his own strength. Likewise, countless queens, warriors, and leaders owed their survival and greatness to mothers who had been cared for and honored in their most fragile seasons. The lesson is as true today as it was then: to cherish the mother is to cherish the future.

The wisdom of Shane McMahon’s advice also reminds us of the partnership at the heart of family. Parenting is not only about the parent-to-child bond but also about the parent-to-parent bond. When partners care for each other, they create a home filled not only with provision but with love. When one is weary, the other lifts them up. When one is burdened, the other bears part of the load. To “take care of Brie first” was not only advice for the delivery room but a guiding principle for all of family life: nurture your partner, and together you will be stronger for your child.

The emotional power of these words lies in their humility. Many fathers, in their eagerness to prove themselves, believe their duty lies only in holding the child, providing resources, or standing as protector. But Bryan was reminded that the quieter task — seeing, honoring, and caring for his wife — was as vital as any heroic gesture. To feed her, to guard her rest, to speak words of comfort, to stand beside her in vulnerability — these are acts as mighty as any battle, for they strengthen the very heart of the family.

The lesson for us is clear: parenting begins with love between parents. The child thrives not only on milk and sleep but on the warmth of a household where care flows both to the infant and between the parents themselves. To neglect the bond is to weaken the foundation; to nurture it is to create a home where the child grows surrounded by strength and unity. The best parenting is not only done with hands but with hearts woven together.

Practical actions must follow: new parents should make it a habit to check on one another daily — not only on the baby. Fathers especially should be vigilant in supporting mothers after birth: ensuring they rest, eat, and feel cherished. Partners should guard time to speak with each other, even in exhaustion, and remind one another that they are not alone in the work. By doing so, they create a sanctuary not just for the child, but for themselves as a family.

So let Daniel Bryan’s remembrance be passed down as timeless wisdom: the best parenting advice is not only about how you treat your child, but how you treat your partner. To care for the mother is to care for the child; to honor your partner is to honor your family. Let every generation remember this: that love at the center of the home is the soil in which children grow strong, safe, and whole.