Parenting Cafe – Conversations and Connections

Wimbledon is the oldest and most famous tennis tournament in the world. It’s been held in London every summer since 1877. With players dressed in white, royal guests in the stands and plenty of strawberries and cream, it’s more than just a tennis match; it’s a tradition. Every July, people around the world watch the best players compete on the green grass courts, all hoping to win one of the sport’s biggest prizes but behind every great player is a story and when it comes to parenting, few stories are as powerful as that of Serena and Venus Williams.

Serena and Venus didn’t grow up training at fancy tennis schools. Their journey started on public courts in Compton, California, with their dad, Richard Williams, as their coach and their mom, Oracene Price, always by their side. Richard Williams was inspired after watching a tennis player win a big tournament on TV and hearing how much money the winner earned. Right then, he decided that tennis could be a path to success for his future children even though he didn’t know much about the sport. He started reading books, watching matches, and studying the game. Before Serena and Venus were even born, he wrote out a 78-page plan to turn them into champions. It might have sounded strange to others, but to him, it made perfect sense. He believed that with the right focus, hard work and love, anything was possible.

While Richard took the lead as the tennis coach, their mom, Oracene Price, was just as important in coaching them in life. She wasn’t on the court teaching swings or footwork, but she helped guide Serena and Venus in other ways, supporting their emotions, teaching them to stay humble, kind, and helping them handle the pressures that came with growing up in the spotlight. Oracene made sure they stayed balanced and grounded, reminding them they were more than just athletes. Together, their parents gave them a team of coaches that looked after every part of their growth, not just their tennis game.

The Williams family story teaches us that great parenting isn’t just about pushing kids to succeed; it’s about believing in their potential, setting clear goals, and giving them room to grow at their own pace. Richard and Oracene balanced discipline with fun, making sure Serena and Venus had a childhood filled with learning, music, and play, not just tennis. They knew that confidence doesn’t come from talent alone but from the encouragement and belief parents give every day.

So, are we all going to raise tennis stars? Probably not, but whether your child loves drawing, building LEGO cities, or reading fantasy books, your love, encouragement and patience matter. When kids know someone truly believes in them, they gain the courage to aim higher and keep trying.

Here are six parenting lessons from Richard and Oracene Williams we can all learn from:

1. Believe in your child’s potential—even when others don’t.
2. Have a plan but stay flexible as your child grows.
3. Balance hard work with plenty of play.
4. Encourage confidence through your words and actions.
5. Support your child’s emotional health.
6. Focus on raising a kind, well-rounded person

As Wimbledon unfolds, it’s more than just a chance to enjoy great tennis; it’s a quiet reminder of the power we hold as parents. We may not be shaping future champions on the court, but we are nurturing the potential in our little ones, day by day. Through listening, guiding, and encouraging, we help shape character and confidence.

If this spoke to you, feel free to share it with another parent or drop a comment. Let’s keep the conversation going about raising greatness, one moment at a time.