A parental legacy of dreams

CEBU, Philippines —  The future is something for anyone to harvest – or to dread. The future is a whole field of possibilities, good or bad. It is the challenge of parents to make sure that the future turns out to be good for their children.

Little children can grow up to be anything. Not even their parents would know what. The only thing parents can do is inspire their children to become whatever they (the children) may become.

Every child is a ‘box’ of potentials. There have been lowly kids that grew up to greatness. Conversely, there have been very promising kids that did not amount to anything in later life.

How kids turn out to be as adults can hardly be attributed to a single factor.  For sure, the environment they grow up in matters. And, of course, the encouragement and inspiration the kids get from people they look up to matter as well.

Parental affirmation plays a crucial role in the attainment of children’s dreams. The most successful professionals – a ballerina, a firefighter, an artist, an engineer, a marine biologist etc. – are often propelled to career heights because of their parents’ encouragement. Sometimes it does not even take the parents’ words of approval – growing children can be inspired by their parents’ example.

Parents shall initially try to reign in the free spirit in their children – not to contain it but by giving it the environment in which to spread its wings. Parents shall fire up their kids’ dreams and encourage the young ones to dream more. For dreams give every life a sense of purpose. 

“Imagine how much better a place the world would be if we all dreamed like kids again,” writes Ashley Reynolds in an article at www.dreamfearlessly.com. “If instead of completely growing out of our imaginative childhood, we embraced our every passion. Good news – it’s possible.” And it starts by raising children who value the importance of their very own dreams, she adds.

Reynolds relates speaking with former kindergarten teacher, all-star parent, and all-around expert dreamer, Kim Kotecki, to learn more about the role dreams play in a child’s life, and how parents can encourage even bigger dreaming in their little ones. “The passions children have are clues to what their lives will become,” Kim tells her. “Those that are encouraged to embrace their dreams will undeniably have a much more solid foundation of self-understanding and awareness. This gives them a golden ticket to an adulthood filled with passion and adventure.”

The conversation raised six points of what parents can do to inspire their kids to pursue their dreams:

Be a dream role-model. “The concept of ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ simply doesn’t work for dream chasing. So, model big dreams in your own life. When we live our lives as a great adventure, we give our kids permission to do the same.”

Encourage the kids’ bucket list. “Introduce your kids to the concept of a ‘bucket list’, and invite them to make their own. It allows them the opportunity to experience the power of intentionality. Some really awesome moments and memories have been made as a result of these lists.”

Give them free time. “This freedom will allow them the space they need for self-discovery. As the parent, you are the only person that can protect them from the hectic pace that is now normal in most homes. Opt out of the overextension and give your kids the gift of time. Hold the space for them to dream and discover their passions.”

Allow them to tinker. “When given the time, kids may choose to pursue interests that do not have a clearly defined outcome. Be okay with this. Challenge yourself to value these exploratory efforts as worthwhile. It’s important to keep an open mind to where their interests lead them, especially when you don’t initially see how it’s beneficial.”

Introduce big dreamers. “These can be people you know, those in your community and people from history like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman or Amelia Earhart.” These inspirational dreamers help teach children that anything is possible, no matter what the obstacle.

Live life as a daring adventure. “To create an environment that fosters dreaming big, we need to break out of the ruts that can consume family life. Be spontaneous. Get messy. Have dessert first every once in a while. Have a ‘Barbarian Spaghetti’ dinner without any plates or silverware. Make up your own holiday! There are a million different rut busters out there and, as a parent, you must employ them on a regular basis to keep life fresh and exciting amidst the busyness.”

These ideas make sense in these times when life seems to spin too fast. It can be bewildering to young minds that don’t have anything for anchor. Their dreams could be that anchor.

If there’s one thing parents must leave their children with, aside from good education and faith in God, it should be the ability to dream.