Dear Mr. Editor: Your analogies really sink in. Yes, you can, as a gardener, tend to the 'growing' children without tending to their 'roots'. You can give them a great foundation: compost, new soil, lots of water and sunlight and they will thrive and you can then walk away! I have several kids who are great young adults, and I haven't had to 'tend' to them since they were little 'sprouts.' Now excuse me while I search for some fiberglass planters for my garden (aka cribs for my kids.)