American actress Edie Falco, best known for her parts in TV shows like "The Sopranos" and "Nurse Jackie," frequently discusses the value of leading by example. She described in one interview how she brought up her children without ever yelling at people or fighting in front of them. Falco revealed that she witnessed numerous bad behaviors from her parents as a child, which finally resulted in their divorce.

Falco's parenting style is based on the knowledge that kids pick up a lot of knowledge by watching and copying the actions of adults. She wants her children to grow up believing that polite conversation and amicable dispute resolution are commonplace. This contrasts greatly with what she experienced as a child, when she saw her parents' relationship end in divorce, most likely as a result of unresolved conflicts and negativity.

Consider a garden where the proper soil and sunlight are essential for the growth of flowers. Falco believes that in order to provide her kids with a loving environment, she must refrain from using harsh language or expressing anger, which could harm their emotional health in the same way that weeds can stunt the growth of fragile plants. She wants to give her children an environment that promotes positive relationships and personal growth, so she chooses understanding and composure over aggression.

By using this strategy, Falco hopes to strengthen family ties founded on respect and support for one another in addition to attempting to end a pattern of bad behavior. Her ideas convey a more general point about the ability of constructive influence to mold future generations.