Help Your Kids Achieve Their Dreams - PART 2
By Melissa Borghorst ©
Get Your Kids Dreaming
Start with a dream discussion about what your kids want to be when they grow up or what they want to do for fun. Have them create their own dream list in a blank journal or in the journal that I published, Dream List for My Amazing Life, which gives a little more guidance than a blank journal. A dream list is a great way to get the conversation started and to also see what your kid’s dreams are so you can support them and help them reach their dreams.
While we’re on the subject of dream lists, it is critical that you don’t squash their dreams. It’s ok to let them dream. Let me say that again. It’s ok to let them dream. If they come up with a dream that will put you in the poor house, don’t panic. Instead of saying, you can’t do that because we don’t have money, work with them to come up with creative ideas to earn money. As a teen, I dreamed of riding in a hot air balloon, but my parents didn’t have enough money. So I got creative and ended up working for a hot air balloon company for a summer in exchange for a free ride.
Tip: Visit my blog www.DreamListOnline.com to find creative ideas to achieve your dreams for little or no money.
Another dream that kids often come up with is something totally outrageous…at least outrageous to us adults. Remember, it’s ok to let them dream. Think of all the amazing inventions created in the last century. Back in the day, if you said you were building a giant contraption to take you to the moon, people would have thought you were crazy. But guess what. Someone did it and landed on the moon! You never know if that “outrageous” dream, could turn out to be the start of the next technological revolution.
What About Failure?
As parents, we want the best for our kids. We hate to see them sad and let down if they don’t make the soccer team or don’t accomplish one of their dreams. It hurts more to see our kids fail, than it does when we fail. So a common question amongst parents is: What do I do if they fail when going after their dream?
The answer is, don’t let them give up! Share with them the story of Michael Jordan. In high school, he was kicked off the basketball team because he wasn’t good enough. BUT he didn’t give up. He practiced and practiced, and ended up being one of the most famous basketball players in history.
At some point in our lives, we all fail. But it’s not about the failure; it’s about getting back up and trying again. Oprah once said that “failure is a stepping stone to greatness.” This is so true! There are thousands of stories like Michael Jordan’s. So talk with your kids about failure and teach them the right attitude to achieve success.
Tip: Remind your kids of the story of The Little Engine That Could. To this day, when I’m struggling with a dream, I still hear my Mom’s storytelling voice saying, I Think I Can! I Think I Can! I Think I Can!
Come Up With a Plan
The next step is to break down your kid’s dreams into smaller steps and goals. This is the roadmap to their dreams. They need to learn how to get from point A to point B. These goal planning skills will help them reach their dreams, and are critical for all aspects of life, especially in their careers and business.
Below is one example using a method I call a Dream Tree. Their dreams start at the base or root of the tree, while the smaller goals and steps branch off. Try to break each dream into goals and steps that they can start accomplishing right away—no matter what age.
As your kids are accomplishing some of those smaller goals, they may change their minds. It’s quite common for kids to realize that they don’t want to pursue a certain dream anymore after experiencing or learning about it. It’s perfectly ok if they change their mind! The planning and action is the most important part, which can be used for countless dreams in the future. This is also a great process to explore careers and interests BEFORE you spend all your money on college to later find out they changed their minds.
Tip: If your teens are exploring careers, send them to www.DreamListRadio.com, where they can learn how to turn their passions and dreams into professional careers. The site provides short interviews with guests who have exciting and unique careers, along with steps they need to take to make their career dreams come true.
Celebrate!
Each time your kids accomplish a goal or a dream, celebrate! Make a big deal out of it, because it truly is a big deal. Think of some fun things you can do to help celebrate their achievements. It’s also important to document their accomplishments in their Dream List Journals. This journal is not only a fun activity and a treasured keepsake, but it’s also a great tool to help build your kid’s confidence. If they’ve accomplished a goal or dream in the past, surely they can do it again.
Make a Pledge
These were just a few tips to help you as parent, encourage and empower your kids to follow and achieve their dreams. Now raise your right hand and repeat after me:
• I pledge to support my kids while they follow their passions and dreams.
• I promise to be their cheerleader along the way and to be there for them when they need a little encouragement.
• Most importantly, I promise to love my kids unconditionally—no matter what.
If you follow these steps, I guarantee that your kids will become more happy, fulfilled, successful and you’ll have a strong family bond that will last for years to come.