let your dream fly like a kite … and see where it’ll take you

“Let your dream fly like a kite and see where it’ll take you.”
-Katrina Mayer

Kids love to dream big. They believe that anything is possible. When you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, you may get answers like a doctor, astronaut, actor, singer, artist, dancer, superhero and yes, even a unicorn!

No matter how challenging or outlandish their desires may seem, it’s up to us to help encourage them to have these big dreams with the words we speak and the examples we set. We want them to understand that, with the right attitude and perseverance, they are capable of pursuing their dreams and making them come true.

be mindful of your words
More times than not, we are afraid of change, the unknown and failure. These fears prevent us from living the life we truly desire and dream of. Many of us typically think to ourselves:
“I’m not good enough.”
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I don’t have enough personal connections.”
“I don’t/can’t ______.”

These are some of the debilitating thoughts which run through our minds and keep us from going for our dreams. Many of us grow up thinking these thoughts because we may have heard our parents saying these very things. 

Children are influenced at an early age. It’s so important to be aware and cautious of what we say in front of them. As we well know, little ears are always open to what we say. When our children hear us speaking negatively it becomes their inner dialogue.

It’s important that we try to be mindful of this and reframe the way in which we speak. Words hold so much power and if we are encouraging and optimistic, we’ll be able to pass this along to our kids. 

We aren’t born with our beliefs. All beliefs, whether they are limiting or limitless, are established from what we experience externally. What we say and do are developing how our children perceive the world around them. Let’s make an effort to keep it positive!

set a positive and lasting influence
It’s no secret that children learn the most from their parents. While older children may go to school to learn reading and writing, they learn how to be a human being from their parents—perhaps the most important job of all.

Choosing to be a positive influence means living a positive model for your child. If that seems like a lot to live up to, the good news is that studies show positive parenting can have a positive influence not just on your child, but every generation to come.

That means if your child is the first to go to college in your family, she may be just the first in a long tradition coming after you. 

Your precious little one may still be wandering around in diapers now, but even if they’re very young there’s plenty of things you can do to be a positive influence on your child.

why are you saying no?
Often, the lives of our children are filled with “no’s.” No, you can’t go to the park today. No you can’t have another cookie. No, you can’t take karate. Of course, many times when we say “no” we have a good reason, but sometimes it is just a reflexive answer.

If your child wants to learn karate for example, is there really a reason why they can’t? You may be able to get discounted lessons from the YMCA or other locations if you’re reasoning is financial, or a grandparent may be willing to take them if you have a time issue.

Saying “yes” might just help them explore a future as a ninja, an Olympic medalist, or maybe just a strong and confident individual. Even if they decide karate isn’t for them after all, they’ll learn that they can ask you to support them in an interest and you will. That’s a wonderful lesson for them to take home all by itself.

books that encourage kids to follow their dreams
Books can be a wonderful way to inspire children to dream big and follow their dreams. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae teaches kids that they can achieve whatever they set their hearts and minds to regardless of what others think or say. Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell is the inspirational story of Jane Goodall as a child and her dreams of helping animals which in real life she grows up to do. How To Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers is about a young boy and all of the trials he endures in his quest to catch a star and is a wonderful book that shows things don’t always go as planned, but they work out one way or another.

coloring fun
Please enjoy this free Tot Tails coloring page to help share this message with your child.