The daily grind of adulting can make us pessimistic parents at times.
So when your 10 year old walks into the room announcing that she’s going to become the next Taylor Swift, despite the fact that she plays no instrument and has never wanted to sing, your initial reaction may be less than nurturing.
Being a professional singer takes all your time and talent and dedication. Even then, you have to get a lucky break to really make it big.
Besides, you don’t want that life. All those people are on drugs or crazy.
Go to your room and do your homework so you can get into college and get a job building someone else’s dream and just hope your salary’s enough to repay your college loans every month.
While such a response and attitude could be viewed as a “dose of reality,” it’s a very limiting reality and does your child a great disservice as she prepares to navigate through what she’s going to do with her life.
It’s Good for Kids to Dream Big
Remember that children, especially the younger ones, live in a world of make believe. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are real things to them.
The world of make believe is a crucial time in their development where they learn to use their imagination and creativity.
Imagination and creativity are two of the biggest strengths our children can have, so it’s vital that we nurture those traits.
Both are key to problem solving in every day life and in any profession your child eventually chooses.
Even if he does take a traditional path of working for someone else, being able to think outside the box everyone else is in will set him up for promotions, advancements, and new jobs.
So even as your children grow older and leave behind the magical land of make believe, teaching them to dream big will equip them with an asset that will be useful throughout their lives.
Part of growing up is figuring out which of those dreams he’s devoted enough to that he’ll do the work to make it become reality.
And a life spent pursuing his dreams will always be a much happier life than one spent settled into a path that brings him no joy.
Your Child’s Possibilities Are Limitless
What are the chances that your child will be the next Michael Jackson, Julia Robers, or Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Well, statistically speaking, probably not great, but what if . . .
What if she uncovers a great talent for entertainment or sports that our society values so much we’re willing to pay people ridiculous amounts of money for?
What if her passion leads her to become a national voice for social change?
Or if her creativity helps her invent a new cure for cancer?
Somebody’s got to do these things, and I guarantee you it’s not going to be the kids who were taught to think small and “realistic.”
And what if she pursues her dream and only achieves 1/100th of the amount of success those who are household names have achieved?
It’s still a recipe for a life well lived.
The “Safe” Path in Life is No Longer Safe
As parents, back in our day, if you went to college it was pretty much a given that you’d come out and have a decent paying job waiting for you.
And try as we may to let them find their own paths, the tendency to force our ways on our children is strong.
If it worked for us, it’s gotta be good enough for our children.
But the fact is, the times they are a changing.
College costs are rising and many professions are becoming oversaturated, making competition for jobs oftentimes fierce.
Recent studies show that 45% of college graduates are working in jobs that don’t even require a bachelor’s degree. (Yet you know they’re still being required to pay back the money it cost them to get that seemingly useless degree!)
As the traditional path becomes a less and less safe formula for financial security, it’s the kids who are taught to dream big and use their imagination that will be best at finding ways to adapt and succeed.
How to Nurture Your Child’s Dreams
So what do you do when your child declares her intention to be the next Taylor Swift?
Tell her you’re excited for her and ask her how you can help.
While some of her requests may not line up with current reality, you can offer to do something smaller scale, such as pick up a used musical instrument she’s interested in, or sign her up for voice lessons.
With many of these things, as you know, the dream will be different tomorrow, which means all you have to do is voice your support and encouragement.
Yes, tell her she can be and do anything she wants to do.
And model this for your kids by pursuing your own dreams, and sharing your journey with your kids.
Always wanted to play the piano like Elton John? Go ahead and start those lessons at age 40!
If you have a business, share some of your goals with your children and let them experience reaching those goals with you.
Want a business but you're not sure where to start? Schedule a friendly chat with Kids Party Characters owner Cheryl Jacobs, she’s an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for mentoring others to business success. You can book a no-cost call with Cheryl right here.
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Visit our website today to start planning your child’s next party, and connect with us on Facebook for daily updates on how we set the standard for children’s entertainment.
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