Who said that school's purpose was to help our children develop leadership skills? This article title reflects an absolutely awry perception of the responsibilities of schools. Schools are there to educate. Their purpose is to fill the students' heads with information and sometimes practical skills that will serve them well in their future.

These places are not supposed to be incubators of good socializers and leaders. That important part of our children's education should be happening at home. At home! So let's just make sure that we understand that it is our duty as parents to help our children develop leadership abilities.

So how do we do that?

Actually there is one main principle to keep in mind in order to reach this goal. We must remember that as parents we are teaching constantly. We are models for good behavior. Especially if children are going to those cumbersome public schools whose main priority is actually to keep drugs out of the school and maintain security for a seven-hour period. If our children are attending these schools, we need to stay vigilant.

So let us be models and people who converse. People who communicate. As we model good leadership: by example, by explicit precept, by humility and principle, our children will gain confidence in their abilities to do the same.

As we discuss our children's experiences in school, taking the time to listen well and respond insightfully, not taking every opportunity to lecture and such, our relationships will be based on honesty and respect. Even love.

Thus, to develop leadership skills in our children outside of school will require diligence, respect and love. But it can be done.

Learn more about this author, Jared Garrett.
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