Can you believe that another Labor Day has just passed? Now we are fully back to schedules, homework, projects, deadlines, making sure that we encourage our children, teens, and college kids to get good grades and feel excited about learning.
Many parents have asked me what I used to ask myself: “What do I do to know what my son/daughter’s interests are? I just don’t see him/her have a passion for anything!”
Discovering your child’s passions and talents is much easier than you think. Watch them play… and with play, I do not mean video games. From an early age, children start showing interest in certain things. For example, are they always dancing or singing? Do they prefer to be reading? Experimenting? Are they always teaching others something?
The one thing to keep in mind while identifying your children’s passion, talents. and gifts is that you can’t be afraid to support whatever it is that they want to be or do. Your fears and limited beliefs cannot be an interference in the process. Their talents were given to them for a reason, and that reason is to share them for the good of all.
I have not met a parent that does not want their children to be happy and triumph in life. The key to success is to encourage them to tap into their talents and share them with a good intention. When you support them in their life journey you have collaborated to make a better life for them and a better world for everyone else.
It is easy to be trapped by our own fears, and we start sharing those negative thoughts with our children, negatively influencing how they feel about themselves and their aspirations.
“I don’t want my son/daughter to be a teacher. Teachers don’t make much money.”
Who said that your son/daughter cannot create a platform where they can influence change by reaching a much greater number of students and ultimately achieve the financial goals that are important to him/her?
“I don’t want my son/daughter to be a dancer/singer/actor. That’s a rough life and only one out of millions make it.”
Who said that they are not going to be fulfilled on the journey? I encourage you to get rid of your limiting thoughts, belief structures, and to trust the universe and allow their talents to shine.
In the many years I have practiced psychotherapy, I have never met anyone who came to treatment for problems such as depression, marital hardship, or parenting issues because they did not remember their algebra or history facts. Patients do, however, come to treatment for depression, anxiety, and conflicts with their family because they don’t have the tools to improve these relationships, the ability to challenge erroneous thoughts, or follow their dreams. It is our duty as parents to teach our children how to develop correct thought patterns and how to challenge erroneous beliefs that could interfere with their journey to triumph.
“How can I teach my child this?”
Allow your children to dream, create, discover, and nourish their talents. Keep them in touch with their true selves, inspire them, and support them. They will grow up feeling confident and loved and live extraordinary lives. In return, we fulfill one of our missions in life… that of being an awesome parent.
For more tips on how to help your child stay in touch with his/her true self and create the extraordinary life he/she deserves, or to bring a parent engagement meeting to your school or agency, visit us at www.triumphsteps.com
“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” Matthew Jacobson
