During Stephen Curry’s 16-year tenure in the NBA, he has reached numerous significant milestones, including becoming a four-time NBA champion, a two-time Most Valuable Player, an 11-time NBA All-Star, and an Olympic gold medalist. Nevertheless, one of his most cherished accomplishments is being a father to his four children, aged 12, nine, six, and nine months.
Balancing his responsibilities as a full-time athlete, working on a Peacock TV show, and recently teaming up with former First Lady Michelle Obama’s company, PLEZi Nutrition, to introduce a children’s hydration drink, Curry maintains a busy schedule. Despite this, he consistently makes time to fulfill his role as a father.
The journey of raising four children has been a learning experience for Curry and his wife, Ayesha. His primary advice for parents with multiple children is to adopt a personalized parenting approach for each child.
“They are all unique, each responding to distinct parenting and communication styles,” Curry mentioned to Fortune. “It’s important to quickly identify what each child responds to most effectively.”
Curry has discovered, through trial and error, that strategies effective with one child may not work with another. He emphasizes recognizing each child’s unique traits and abilities.
“You want them to understand that they each have a unique superpower and that this uniqueness exists for a reason,” he stated.
This concept is mirrored in his 2022 children’s book, “I Have a Superpower,” which reflects his own underdog story about perseverance and success.
Curry’s parenting philosophy is akin to the principles of “panda” parenting, a method that promotes children’s independence and individuality. “Panda” parenting, a term introduced in Esther Wojcicki’s book “How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results,” focuses on respecting children’s ideas and preferences to maintain open communication.
“With belief in your child comes self-belief for them,” Wojcicki stated. “Offering them opportunities encourages their independence.”
As a parent of four, Curry strives to foster distinct bonds with each child, supporting their individual personalities. Though challenging, he describes it as a fulfilling endeavor.
“It’s a fun but challenging task to figure out,” Curry commented.
He also motivates his children to pursue their ambitions, crediting his parents for instilling in him a fearlessness toward failure during his early basketball challenges.
“My parents provided significant support during difficult times,” Curry mentioned in a 2022 interview with Fatherly. “I constantly encourage my kids to try new things. Success isn’t guaranteed, but one can control their focus and approach in life.”
To help his children navigate failures, Curry advocates for controlling their “WABA”—words, actions, behavior, and attitude, principles he shared with Fatherly.
“These are aspects they can always control, regardless of life’s circumstances,” he remarked. “Hopefully, these principles keep them grounded through life’s ups and downs.”
At the core of his parenting approach is providing a supportive environment for his children. “Ensuring they feel loved while guiding them is crucial,” Curry told Fortune. “That’s when the relationship truly flourishes.”
For more insights on parenting, individuals can refer to articles discussing TikTok’s new parental control features, Kate Hudson’s parenting lessons, the use of hormones among transgender youth, and Michael Phelps’ parenting strategies for mental health.
This article was initially published on Fortune.com.
