Raising Kids With a Healthy Mind Set, Final

Core values, accepting responsibility, admitting when we are wrong… we have covered some important topics.  Now, what are you going to do with this information?

Our kids may never say it or express it, but they want us to be the best parents we can be.  They want us to lead them.  Set an example.  Better yet, be an example.  The phrase, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” holds a lot of merit.  Kids tend to follow the path of what they see.

They need us to encourage, support and be their biggest cheerleader.  In things like sports, scholastic and studies, kids look to their parents for acceptance and approval.  If we do not provide it, they will seek it somewhere else.  If I were to ask your kids, “Do Mom and Dad give you their support on the things you’re passionate about?”  What would they say?

Raising kids is a lot more about taking responsibility than it is about being perfect.  No one has ever expected us to be perfect parents but striving to become better, learn and grow along the way, absolutely! 

We all know kids do not come with a manual (although there are thousands of resources available).  Learning as we go, or on-the-job training is what most of us do.  There is nothing wrong with this.  The bigger question is, are we truly striving to be a better parent today than yesterday?  If your employer expected you to become more efficient and as you grow, shouldn’t we adopt the same principal to raising our kids?

In some cases we were raised with parents who were not as supportive or patient as they could have been.  I am one of those and looking back, it is obvious what a difference this made growing up.  There were many negative experiences.  If you were raised in a similar childhood you understand what I mean.

The good news is, you do not have to raise your kids like you were raised.  You can change.  You can make a decision right now and affirm the buck stops here.  I was raised like that but it does not mean I had to be the same as my parents.  It is all choice.

The second part to “the apple does not fall far from the tree” is we can choose to pick up our apple and move it.  Did you know you can do that?  Over the centuries, many have, and it all starts with choice.  It takes an internal heartfelt choice to do something different today than you did yesterday. 

Nearly 15 years ago, I made that choice and you can too.

Kids don’t need the newest flashy things, they need you.  Are you going to step up to the plate and give them your best or are you going to go through life and think it doesn’t matter? 

The choice is yours.  When they become adults, society will know which decision you made.

Have a great Friday everyone, be blessed.