There is a lot of parenting that's completely out of your

Hearken, O children of generations yet to awaken, and heed the wisdom of Rosemarie DeWitt, whose voice bears witness to the trials and truths of raising young souls: “There is a lot of parenting that's completely out of your control, but I think we live in an era right now where we think if, God forbid, you couldn't talk to someone, you would flip out - you know what I mean?” In these words lies a profound recognition: that the labor of parenting is fraught with uncertainty, and that the human spirit is tested not only by duty, but by the realization that much of life cannot be mastered, planned, or foreseen.

The origin of this reflection rests in DeWitt’s own experience as a parent, where she observed the tension between effort and outcome, control and surrender. Parenting, she discerns, is a journey in which the young chart paths independent of intention, circumstance, or guidance. In our modern age, saturated with advice, communication, and constant connectivity, the inability to access counsel or reassurance magnifies anxiety, revealing both the fragility and intensity of contemporary parental vigilance.

The meaning of her words is both practical and moral. To acknowledge that “a lot of parenting is completely out of your control” is to embrace humility and temper expectation. Children act in ways unpredictable and unseen, influenced by forces beyond the home, the mind, and the heart. DeWitt teaches that wisdom in parenting emerges not from mastery or omniscience, but from presence, resilience, and discernment, guiding the child with patience while accepting the limits of influence.

Consider the life of Abigail Adams, who nurtured her children amidst the turbulence of a nascent nation. Wars, political upheavals, and societal pressures shaped her children’s lives in ways she could not command. Yet through correspondence, guidance, and presence, she provided grounding, moral instruction, and care. Like DeWitt observes, the parent must navigate the uncontrollable currents of life, teaching virtue and resilience even when outcomes are uncertain.

Yet DeWitt’s reflection carries a subtle admonition: modern culture, with its ceaseless communication and ceaseless advice, often fosters fear of isolation and loss of control. Parents are tempted to imagine catastrophe if counsel or support is unavailable, overlooking the inner resources of resilience, observation, and judgment already cultivated. To parent well is not to command every outcome, but to prepare, observe, and guide with wisdom, embracing uncertainty as a teacher.

The lesson for future generations is radiant: parenting requires both vigilance and acceptance. One must act with intention, presence, and love, while recognizing the limits of influence. Not every outcome can be controlled, not every misstep prevented, and not every question answered. In embracing this balance, parents cultivate patience, resilience, and humility, teaching children through both guidance and example that life unfolds in ways unforeseen.

In practical life, one may follow DeWitt’s counsel by cultivating self-awareness, reflection, and composure. Prepare for challenges, seek counsel when available, and act with attention and care. Yet recognize that unforeseen circumstances will arise, that children will act unpredictably, and that wisdom lies in presence, adaptability, and ethical guidance rather than in control or perfection.

Thus, O children of future ages, carry this teaching as both lamp and shield: much of parenting is beyond control, and the measure of a parent is found not in domination, but in resilience, attention, and moral presence. Guide the young with patience, embrace uncertainty with courage, and act with love and discernment. In this sacred balance lies the enduring legacy of wisdom, care, and steadfastness, illuminating generations yet to inherit the mantle of nurture.