Karyn Joyner: Parents’ unconditional love most important

As an 85-year-old grandmother, I have a deep-seated conviction about what is the crucial characteristic of a good parent. That is, letting one’s children know that whatever twists and turns the child’s life takes, he or she will always have the security of knowing that they have the unconditional love of their parent. This one factor, I believe, is all-important in raising a child. With that to fall back on, children can risk the knocks and hard places of life with the ability to withstand what life throws at them. Without that bedrock to build on, they can flounder in misery throughout life.

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Karyn Joyner: Parents’ unconditional love most important."