PARENTING TIPS FROM THE OLD EDUCATOR
Life Teaches both Joy and Sorrow
Fifty years ago, kids dreamed about playing professional
sports or becoming a famous rock and roll singer. Today they
have similar dreams only they want to go to the moon or
invent the most challenging video game. Dreams are limited
only by a child’s imagination and the seeds parents plant.
We should be careful not to undermine children’s dreams by
comparing them to what we dreamed about. Their differences
will cause them to sail unchartered waters and climb higher
mountains. They may not achieve everything they dream and
that’s ok, provided they find meaning in the journey. It is
by picking up the pieces and trying again that they learn to
grow into dreams.
Whatever children become, they are part of someone else. By
observing and mimicking the actions of others, they are
molded into a unique individual. They see happiness and want
to be happy. They soon discover the wish alone to be happy,
does not bring happiness.
Some kids hit a wall in achieving dreams. Perhaps they are
not big enough or quick enough to play high school or
college sports, or smart enough to become a doctor. Dreams
can become fuzzy. High school calculus was difficult so an
engineering degree is probably not a good choice, and the
sight of blood – oh, becoming a nurse may be better for
someone else.
Any wall ever built had a door in it someplace. With proper
nurturing and guidance, children learn to search for other
doors when one closes.
Sometimes destiny follows it’s own course. What happens to
one child won’t necessarily happen to another child. They
are all diverse and have different interests. If a boy is an
apple, he’ll do what apples do; likewise, as an orange. If
may not always be an apple or orange thing, but a time will
come when youngsters must choose their destiny. Parent
support and input is critical.
Our best hope is for children to achieve dreams that come
from within – strength, hope, courage and dignity.
So, what if they don’t become a professional athlete
or do what apples do?
They can become an orange or find another open door.
They may not get to the moon but they can land among the
stars and find their destiny.
Children cannot fail who look at the midnight sky, feel good
about themselves and understand life teaches both joy and
sorrow, all they need to know.
