By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
At the heart of Franklin Park Mall, tucked near center court, is a small gem called Franklin Perk Café — a cozy, inviting coffee shop where the aroma of fresh brews fills the air. And oh, the perks! The warm, relaxed setting created the perfect environment for a deep and thoughtful conversation about a topic that touches every parent’s heart: Parenting Yourself.
Hosted by Stayce Fowler, publisher of Stalwart Magazine, and Amy Hall, life coach and business leader, the Sister-to-Sister Conversation was open, honest and full of relatable wisdom. Fowler and Hall both believe in creating spaces where community and conversations grow together, and this gathering was no exception.
As mothers, leaders and lifelong learners, Stayce and Amy understand that parenting isn’t just about raising children — it’s also about raising yourself. “It’s not just about what we tell them,” Amy said. “It’s about how we show up for ourselves every day.”
The conversation kicked off with Amy sharing a recent “ah-ha” moment she had while driving. “It just hit me,” she said, “One day, my sons are going to bring women home. And who they choose is going to reflect some part of me — good or bad.”
That realization has made her even more committed to becoming the best version of herself, not just for her own sake but also for her boys. “I have to keep doing the work. Because the example I set will live on through them,” she said.
Digging deep into the meaning of Parenting Yourself, the evening unfolded with honesty and reflection — the idea that before you can fully pour into your children, you first have to pour into yourself. It’s like the airplane rule: you have to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
The audience, a mix of mothers, daughters and even one awesome dad, leaned in closely as the conversation deepened. One mother shared her perspective as a Jamaican woman. “In Jamaican and African cultures,” she explained, “education is extremely important. You’re expected to get at least one professional degree. It’s just part of our upbringing.”
But she also shared how important it is to balance those high expectations with grace. “We have to guide our children,” she said, “not push them so hard that they lose their sense of self.”
This balance — between high expectations and loving guidance — fit perfectly into the idea of Parenting Yourself. As Stayce Fowler pointed out, “We’re raising individuals, not mini versions of ourselves. We have to leave room for them to become who they are.”
Stayce’s words resonated deeply. It’s easy as a parent to want to steer every decision, to want our children to avoid the mistakes we made. But sometimes, the best parenting is knowing when to step back and allow them the space to grow.
Throughout the conversation, Fowler and Hall modeled the same open-hearted honesty they encouraged from the audience. They didn’t present themselves as having all the answers. Instead, they invited everyone to think, to reflect, and to share.
“It’s not about being perfect,” Fowler said. “It’s about being intentional. How am I showing up every day? Am I parenting myself with patience and grace? Because if I’m not doing it for me, it’s hard to do it for them.”
The audience nodded along, some wiping away quiet tears. Parenting in today’s world — filled with social media, pressure, fast information, and even faster judgments — feels harder than ever. But this conversation reminded everyone that the real work starts inside.
There were moments of laughter too, as everyone shared relatable parenting struggles — the messy rooms, the forgotten homework, the eye-rolls at family dinners. One woman joked, ‘I’m raising teenagers at home, and then I have to parent my co-workers and mother them too. Some days, it feels like negotiating peace treaties with tiny dictators… and full-grown ones!’
But even in those funny moments, the message stayed clear: Parent yourself first. Show yourself the patience, forgiveness, and growth you hope to see in your children.
Throughout the evening, coffee cups clinked and pens scribbled notes. It didn’t feel like a lecture; it felt like sitting around the kitchen table with old friends. Each voice mattered. Each story mattered.
By the end of the evening, it was clear that this conversation — and others like it — are essential. As Stayce Fowler said in closing, “We have to keep creating spaces like this. Places where we can be honest, where we can lift each other up, and where we can learn how to do better — for ourselves and for the next generation.”
Hall nodded, adding, “It starts with parenting ourselves. That’s the real secret. That’s how we change families, communities, and maybe even the world.”
As the crowd lingered after the conversation, swapping numbers and hugs, the spirit of the night stayed strong. Parenting is a journey. Parenting Yourself is where that journey begins.
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