In an ‘Everybody Wins’ World, This Mom is Taking It ‘Old School’

Tell us about your personal parenting style.

My parenting style is inspired by my past and harkens back to a simpler time. Kids should be kids and family time is togetherness — that’s it. In my house it’s about God, family and country, in that order. I was a child of the ’80s and raised in a very old-school household. Respect your elders, have a love for your country, trust your instincts, and always do what is right are just a few virtues my parents and grandparents instilled in me. Kids crave discipline (think Dr. Elmore’s “velvet brick”) and need to understand failures as much as they do accomplishments that garner praise. The “everybody wins” environment really holds kids back.

What’s your proudest accomplishment as a parent?

My proudest accomplishment is raising three children and two stepdaughters to always follow their own moral compass, trust their instincts and stand up for what they believe in. And above all, love God. I’ve already begun to see this take shape in my kids, and it has made the nearly two decades of steadfast and tough parenting worth it. When your child says “Mom, I get it. Thank you for loving me,” that is the best feeling in the world.

There’s no guidebook for teaching kids about their moral compass. How did you do it?

It hasn’t been easy because it’s, of course, easier to say yes. It takes a lot of patience, effort, time and understanding. But sticking to your guns and teaching them about true integrity and kindness pays off. Teach them to judge people on their character, not color of their skin or social status – but who they are as people on the inside. Never bully or belittle anyone, befriend that person instead. Teach them to think for themselves and not to follow the collective off the cliff. Questioning when challenging authority is ok when they know in their heart it isn’t right or the only solution.

What are the go-to blogs you follow regularly that are a must for other parents?

ScaryMommy, PopSugarMoms and WhatupMoms are three. They are fun and really capture the truth of parenting.

Get to know Julie better:

1. I can’t live without: God, my children, music

2. If I had one week and an endless budget, I’d escape with my family to: This is a tough one because there are so many. I would have to say places that are rich with history. There is something so romantic and surreal to see a document or artifact that is hundreds or thousands of years old. We all love history so it would be fun for all of us. Touring the U.S. has always been a plan.

3. The book I can’t put down right now is: Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

4. One piece of advice I’d give my teenage self would be: Never let fear stand in the way of you and a dream. The heart never lies, and we must always follow it — for it will lead you where you are supposed to be.

5. Parenting is: Chaotic because of the different stages (teenage years being by far the most challenging). Joyous. I never knew a love this deep existed until I had my children. Frightening. Being in charge of a person’s entire life and molding them so they don’t end up being a dead beat is daunting! A blessing. God chose me to be the mum of these extraordinary little souls. They are all unique, offering this world an endless bounty of goodness and light.

Julie Prince has been a political adviser/strategist, conservative activist, writer and successful entrepreneur for over 20 years. She has interviewed guests including Michelle Malkin, Allen West, and Dinesh D’Souza on her radio show. Her love for the United States is unwavering, committing her life to preserving our constitutional conservative values. She serves as a member of the board of directors for the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and supports several other charities including the Gary Sinise Foundation.