It has been over 10 years since I immigrated to America and more than 5 years since I have lived in Seattle.

Although the frequent rain and the low-hanging gray clouds form the basic backdrop of this city, the time spent raising my daughter has been warm and colorful.

Raising a daughter in America, especially, is different in many ways from parenting in Korea.

The first thing I noticed was the direction of education.

Growing up in Korea, report cards felt like a life report card, and after-school time was filled with private academies.

However, here, the first question is not what the child excels at, but what they enjoy.

Instead of asking, "Why didn't you do your homework?" the first question is, "Did you have any difficulties?" Here, parents value self-esteem and independence more than grades.

The way parents and children communicate is also different. In Korea, parents often hold a 'higher position', but in America, conversations are almost equal.

When my daughter says, "Mom, I think differently," instead of dismissing her opinion, I accept it by saying, "That could be true."

At first, it felt a bit strange, but this helps the child grow into someone who can express their thoughts confidently.

Moreover, the law has a stronger influence than social gaze, which is a significant difference.

In Korea, evaluations from schools, neighbors, and relatives are important, but in America, corporal punishment is prohibited, and children can report unfair treatment directly. Therefore, even in discipline, one must be more cautious.

Above all, Seattle is a city where nature and education go hand in hand.

On weekends, instead of going to academies, we go for walks in national parks and spend time talking while walking on the beach.

Even on rainy days, wearing raincoats and walking through the forest paths is a daily routine. These experiences cultivate curiosity and a sense of adventure that cannot be learned in the classroom.

And the meaning of 'success' is also different.

In Korea, the goal is a good university and a stable job, but in Seattle, maintaining a balance in life while doing what you love is of greater value.

So, I find myself saying to my daughter more often, "You need to be happy" rather than "You need to do well."

Ultimately, raising my daughter here means walking alongside her as she learns to trust herself, make her own choices, and accept failure as part of growth.

Parents are not pilots but companions walking the same path.