The Value of Mentors and Meaningful Activities for Your Child
When I embarked on my parenting journey, never in my wildest imagination did I ever know how influential people outside of our family unit would impact the course of our kids' lives.
Parents have a LOT of influence over their children. We have a lot of responsibility to offer the safest and most fulfilled life possible when they are young and don't have the means in which to realize their dreams, potential and passions independently.
If parents listen carefully to their children, they will find what deep interests lie dormant in your child's heart. Do they love music, art, creating, literature, sports, computers, technology, the environment, cars, travel?
Over the course of 12 years of parenting, I have learned just enough that those 'mentors' that step up in the life of your child also STEP up in the life of a parent. It's a powerful position to say the least!
Without the keen knowledge from an expert (teacher, coach, mentor), a parent may fumble the game, while not even knowing they are throwing a 'Hail Mary' in the most important game of their lives. A mentor can be a coach, trainer, business owner, teacher - anyone, who catches the pass to make a GOAL come true!
Allowing a child to bond with a person in their 'zone' is very important and imperative in my humble opinion. Parents need to step back and let people who know what they are doing, take your child to the next level of understanding.
I find dreams of children are often dashed by parents' own hang ups and issues - good parenting takes the 'me' out of the scenario and focuses more on the big, long term picture for your kids' well being. YES, parents foot the bill for these passions and with that comes expectations. But if our expectations are more LONG range goals, the whole journey will be happy for all.
For example:
1. Will this passion my child has offer up self esteem?
2. Will it offer up personal satisfaction and personal happiness?
3. Will it offer up a good overall 'feel' good to your child to navigate the sometimes bumpy waters of bullying, and general growing up issues. (Sometimes it takes just one friend in a mutual sport or hobby to combat the stress of feeling left out or not included in school, etc).
Financial burden for these passions IS a factor, absolutely. But there are creative ways to get around it, for if there is a WILL, there is a WAY. If you see your child passionate about technology, let them tinker. The Museum of Science offers free fun classes...if they love art, get them paints and canvas...the MFA often has weekend classes for kids. It just might be that simple. Local communities often host wonderful free programs in your local library and after school program.
I believe offering up the tools and venue for kids to thrive is one of the most important things you can do for a child. Finding the right people to help you guide your kids is paramount. It take a village to raise kids these days, and sometimes a mentor can really take the edge off parenting sometimes. They can guide and support YOU.
My advice is to find a passion in your child and once you've found it, engage in the people around it. Nurture them, don't criticize their approach. Work together, like in a true marriage. Embrace those that care for your kids, they may see things you do not. That personally has been very rewarding for me.
One important tidbit! Try to not overs-schedule your kids either....let your kids sink their teeth into something they love.
Finally, listen and communicate WITH your kids. They're worthy of peace and joy in their hearts, just like an adult finds hobbies and interests, they just need YOU to get them to the starting line - I promise the finish is ALL your child and you can be proud to cheer them on along the way!
When I embarked on my parenting journey, never in my wildest imagination did I ever know how influential people outside of our family unit would impact the course of our kids' lives.
Parents have a LOT of influence over their children. We have a lot of responsibility to offer the safest and most fulfilled life possible when they are young and don't have the means in which to realize their dreams, potential and passions independently.
If parents listen carefully to their children, they will find what deep interests lie dormant in your child's heart. Do they love music, art, creating, literature, sports, computers, technology, the environment, cars, travel?
Over the course of 12 years of parenting, I have learned just enough that those 'mentors' that step up in the life of your child also STEP up in the life of a parent. It's a powerful position to say the least!
Without the keen knowledge from an expert (teacher, coach, mentor), a parent may fumble the game, while not even knowing they are throwing a 'Hail Mary' in the most important game of their lives. A mentor can be a coach, trainer, business owner, teacher - anyone, who catches the pass to make a GOAL come true!
Allowing a child to bond with a person in their 'zone' is very important and imperative in my humble opinion. Parents need to step back and let people who know what they are doing, take your child to the next level of understanding.
I find dreams of children are often dashed by parents' own hang ups and issues - good parenting takes the 'me' out of the scenario and focuses more on the big, long term picture for your kids' well being. YES, parents foot the bill for these passions and with that comes expectations. But if our expectations are more LONG range goals, the whole journey will be happy for all.
For example:
1. Will this passion my child has offer up self esteem?
2. Will it offer up personal satisfaction and personal happiness?
3. Will it offer up a good overall 'feel' good to your child to navigate the sometimes bumpy waters of bullying, and general growing up issues. (Sometimes it takes just one friend in a mutual sport or hobby to combat the stress of feeling left out or not included in school, etc).
Financial burden for these passions IS a factor, absolutely. But there are creative ways to get around it, for if there is a WILL, there is a WAY. If you see your child passionate about technology, let them tinker. The Museum of Science offers free fun classes...if they love art, get them paints and canvas...the MFA often has weekend classes for kids. It just might be that simple. Local communities often host wonderful free programs in your local library and after school program.
I believe offering up the tools and venue for kids to thrive is one of the most important things you can do for a child. Finding the right people to help you guide your kids is paramount. It take a village to raise kids these days, and sometimes a mentor can really take the edge off parenting sometimes. They can guide and support YOU.
My advice is to find a passion in your child and once you've found it, engage in the people around it. Nurture them, don't criticize their approach. Work together, like in a true marriage. Embrace those that care for your kids, they may see things you do not. That personally has been very rewarding for me.
One important tidbit! Try to not overs-schedule your kids either....let your kids sink their teeth into something they love.
Finally, listen and communicate WITH your kids. They're worthy of peace and joy in their hearts, just like an adult finds hobbies and interests, they just need YOU to get them to the starting line - I promise the finish is ALL your child and you can be proud to cheer them on along the way!
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