THE DETAILS IN PARENTING - KOBE & GIANNI BRYANT

In two words Kobe nurtured and mentored many but none more important than his daughters, Natalia Diamonte, Bianka Bella, Capri Kobe, and Gianni Maria-Onoore Bryant.  Kobe died being a parent.  He was empowering Gianni to become the best woman she could be and Gianni died during her journey to be legendary like her father.  

​As I’ve watched ESPN for the last several hours, I’ve gained another perspective about Kobe “Bean” Bryant.  I saw, observed and studied him from a far.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing or meeting him, but as I listened to the ones who knew him, they put his life in context. 

Kobe had his flaws, but he was a person who grew from those flaws and paid it forward.  Looking at the videos of  Kobe with his daughter Gigi and the rest of his family, it finally hit me.  While he was paying it forward, he was not only teaching us how to be great and disciplined, he was showing us how to be a great father.  He showed us the right way on how to empower our children to achieve their dreams.
 
Maybe I didn’t notice this "detail" because I am not a parent yet, but I enjoyed seeing the relationship he shared with his daughters.  My friends (who are fathers) and I talked about how important it was to have a strong relationship with daughters.  Even at a young age, a girl’s love for their dad is strong and needs to be nurtured daily.  It’s a love that can’t be replaced. It’s a love that can’t be ignored or placed on hold.  This love is special and to know this type of love can only be experienced by men who have a relationship with their daughter.  Kobe understood this "detail" .  In fact, I believe this is why he was blessed with four daughters.  

I've always wanted a son and I always thought he wanted one as well, but he wasn’t upset that he didn’t have one.  He did everything that he would have done with a son, with his daughters.  He understood that his daughters would pass on his legacy and he embraced that.  This is one "detail" I have learned and will embrace from this day forward.  Being able to pass on your name is great, but children regardless of gender will pass on your legacy.  Gianni’s goal was to carry on her father’s legacy, and she embraced it.  

3:15 is when Kobe starts talking about Gianni. 

​"I Got This"

​Kobe was passing his knowledge on how to be legendary (not great) to his daughters.  He was passing on his Mamba mentality, and the way to set and achieve goals.  Can you imagine how great Gianna would have been?  And I’m not just referring to on the court but in life in general.  Her goal was to play in the WNBA, but if we know anything about her father, Kobe was not going to allow her to limit herself to that goal.  The world has not only been robbed of being able to witness what Kobe was going share with us but also how Gianna was going to bless the world.

If you have children regardless of if they are sons or daughters, don’t miss the little "details" that Kobe gave us on how to be not only a great parent but a parent who is active in the growth and pursuit of his their goals.  
 
Here are a couple "details" I noticed when he spent time with Gianna. 

1. Set goals with your children.  Hold them accountable while loving them.
2. Take time out to experience the process with your kids – Whether you are coaching or in the stands and regardless of what your children are pursuing, make sure you are your child’s greatest fan.
3. Take your kids to events of the goals they expect to achieve.
4. Surround your kids around strong role models who have achieved the dreams they were pursuing.  If you don’t know anyone in that field, find someone who is successful.  
5. Never stop teaching.  Research and learn about the dreams of your children.  If you don’t know, find someone who does.  Help make the process easier while understanding it’s not your journey and they will struggle during the process.

​

The definition of true leadership is vision, trust, and sacrifice and these qualities are characteristics found in the heart of a champion.  These are also the qualities of a great parent.  Kobe was instilling leadership and the Mamba mentality within his daughters and anyone he was able to touch.  Although I don't know Kobe, I believe he thought he could help his daughters become legendary.  He believed he could inspire people to be their best selves and the rest would work itself out.

In two words Kobe nurtured and mentored many but none more important than his daughters, Natalia Diamonte, Bianka Bella, Capri Kobe, and Gianni Maria-Onoore Bryant.

Kobe died being a parent.  He was helping Gianni to become the best woman she could be and Gianni died during her journey to be legendary like her father.

Rest in Heaven Kobe and Gianni Bryant.

You both will be missed.