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As a Naval officer, I've been all over the world, and one of the foundational lessons I learned was that parents everywhere would like to raise their children to a higher standard of living in a peaceful environment. That's a universal goal for families.

What I've learned about being a parent is how much you sort of secretly learn from everyone else and how valuable it is.

I have been listening to people's advice. Being a parent, you need all the advice you can get.

I have met parents all over the world, and they all just want to raise their kids to a higher standard than they were raised with.

What I do as best I can is out of a deep respect for children, for how difficult their world is.

In the case of the classic Western helicopter parent, it starts with Baby Einstein and reward charts for toilet training, and it never really ends, which is why colleges have to devote so many resources to teaching parents how to leave their kids alone.

I think if you're a 'tiger parent' early on, you don't need to be a 'helicopter parent' in high school.

You teach your kids about your beliefs and tell them what you think is right and the conclusions that you've come to from living in the world, and then they can make their own decisions.

I'm not a parenting expert. In fact, I'm not sure that I even believe in the idea of 'parenting experts.' I'm an engaged, imperfect parent and a passionate researcher. I'm an experienced mapmaker and a stumbling traveler. Like many of you, parenting is by far my boldest and most daring adventure.