Our children need our guidance, but what they don’t need is us pushing them into their goals. They must experience the process themselves; successes and failures.

Yet how often do we want to run and intercept the pain, hurt, or disappointment to protect them from the “experience”.

We even contemplate shortcuts in order to make it easier. Why have them suffer as long as we did to get what we want?

But what do they learn from our efforts?

Nothing!

And that is tough for us who want only the best for our children. Sitting back and letting them lead their life. Of course, within reason when it comes to our younger children. We have to be more hands-on and build a foundation for them to be ready when they get older.

So how can you support and guide your children in their dreams, but not live their life for them (or live what you think you want them to be)?

You have to resuscitate their dreams!

The K.I.S.S. ~ Resuscitate the dreams!

It sounds a little crazy. But kiddos these days get distracted. It’s your responsibility to keep the focus where they desire to keep growing and moving.

When you know their dreams, you need to help keep them alive. Otherwise, they will get distracted and be consumed by all the other shiny new objects. SQUIRREL!!!

The thing is, children have a difficult time seeing beyond what’s in front of them. You can blame technology, gaming, you can even claim first world problems. But that doesn’t help your child stay in their lane. They have to run their own race.

So what does it look like to resuscitate your child’s dreams?

1. Ask more questions than giving answers. The answers are out there. It’s called YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, whatever! However, what isn’t out there is discernment; how to figure out what they really want all the time when the world is moving faster than they can keep up with. By asking questions, it gets them thinking about what it is they really want, not about what they see their friends doing or what’s popular on Instagram, etc. It’s about their dreams and streamlining life!
2. Advance his/her learning. Depending upon the interests, encourage further learning and deeper understanding of what they want to do. Maybe it’s shadowing someone or volunteering at a place of interest. You are empowering not only their heart, but their head. Plus, you are allowing them to experience life, not live it through someone else’s explanation. That self-experience will lead to greater reflection and retrospection. This is critical for your child to understand his gifts, talents, and interests.
3. Model commitment. Nowadays, it’s so easy to quit. If you don’t like it, you just stop. That has never been something that goes over well in the long run. Now, there are extenuating circumstances. But I’m talking about your child wants to take dance, and all of a sudden she’s not interested. Commitment needs to be instilled in order to promote follow-through, focus, and greatness (whether that’s greatness in that specific area or that leads to another area).

This is what’s going to resuscitate your child’s dream, and even yours.

WARNING:  Don’t set expectations for yourself that you have to be the perfect parent this New Year. You are going to make mistakes. Some little, others big. Learn from them. Grow from them. You’re on a journey to greatness.

“One step at a time leads to miles of greatness!” ~ Kristianne Wargo

“Train for life. Love your journey!”