This paper outlines a model of human development to help guide contemplative practice in parenting and facilitate prayerful understanding of parent-child development with a focus upon one's own parent-child relationship. The model draws from the tree of life symbolism represented by the cross and the spiral and further elaborated through symbolic interpretations of the seed, root, stem, branch, leaf, and fruit. Contemplative prayer is seen as a path of self-development that allows parents to respond to children with goodness, love, wisdom, and justice. / Graduation date: 1992