Put simply, swagger means having the confidence and in-charge energy to be the parent that your child needs, regardless of their age. Author and family therapist Susan Stiffelman uses the metaphor of being ‘captain of the ship’ in her book, Parenting Without Power Struggles. Both of these terms make perfect sense when we are raising children. However, given the changing paradigms of parenting, from the punitive, shame-based styles of the last century, to the more respectful, connected parenting of today, many parents are feeling confused. The science of child development shows very clearly that having a strong attachment to a significant key caregiver is the fundamental building block to raising healthy children to become healthy adults. - Maggie Dent