Why I Hold Onto Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s Wisdom: A Poetic Tribute
In a world where childhood often feels overshadowed by peer pressure and social calendars packed with endless play dates, it can be challenging to share a different perspective on what children truly need to thrive. For over two decades, Dr. Gordon Neufeld has been a quiet revolutionary in the field of child psychology, reminding us that the foundation of healthy development lies not in peer approval, but in the deep, unshakable bond between children and their primary caregivers.
His international best-seller, Hold On to Your Kids, has touched countless lives, yet when I speak of his teachings to others on similar paths, I often feel like my words wash over them unnoticed—perhaps even misunderstood. This poem is my heartfelt tribute to Dr. Neufeld’s philosophy, a call to recognise the profound importance of unconditional love, authentic connection, and the home as the essential soil where children’s roots grow strong.
Join me as I explore why this message matters now more than ever, and why holding on to our kids might just be the greatest gift we can give them. For Dr. Gordon Neufeld, and for all who dare to hold on.
Hold Onto Your Kids: An Ode to Dr. Gordon Neufeld
In a world that spins on peer applause,
Where childhood’s currency is playdate calls,
I found a lighthouse, steady, bright—
Dr. Neufeld’s wisdom, guiding light.
He speaks of roots, not just of wings,
Of home as soil where true love springs.
A place where hearts are safe to grow,
Where children’s spirits freely flow.
Yet when I share this gentle creed,
Of endless love and meeting need,
Of holding on, not pushing out,
I see their faces, tinged with doubt.
They wonder why I swim upstream,
Why I resist the common dream—
That kids must fly before they’re grown,
And find their tribe away from home.
But Dr. Neufeld softly pleads:
Let love be first, attend their needs.
Let authenticity unfold,
Let little hands be gently held.
He teaches patience, trust, and time,
That fruits will ripen down the line;
Independence, not by force or fear,
But nurtured by the ones most near.
Why can’t they see what I can see?
That children thrive in family—
Not measured by the friends they keep,
But by the roots that run so deep.
So I’ll hold on, though others doubt,
And let their skepticism wash out.
For in my heart, I know it’s true:
The greatest gift is love—renewed.
And maybe, years from now, they’ll see
The quiet fruits of empathy—
Of children, whole and unafraid,
Who know their worth, because we stayed.
Gentle Parent 