do is stay devoted to them and be generous with my time( my children have always been my number – one priority). Here are some ideas for you to shine in the incredibly important role of parent:
Try not to teach your fears to your kids. Introduce Your children to what’ s possible.
Lead By Example: The best way to influence your kids is to walk the talk. Model the behavior you wish to see. Don’ t preach the beauty of books and learning and then head you’ re your family room to watch three hours of MTV. Those little eyes watch everything you do. I talk about this in Family Wisdom from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, which is a book that will be very helpful to you as you grow young leaders at home.
Develop your children: See yourself not just as a parent to your children but as a“ developer” of them. It’ s important to actively develop their minds, hearts and souls. That’ s your job. Expose them to great art. Take them to interesting restaurants. Introduce them to cool people who produce unique ideas. JFK’ s father would invite fabulously interesting people to dinner often. During the meal, the Kennedy kids would learn from the guest – and then quiz the visitor to deepen their learning. Smart practice.
Inspire your kids: Big idea: Parents teach their children how to view the world. Parents show kids the way the world works. And if you see the world as a place of limitation, so will those little people you are raising. Try not to teach your fears to your kids. Introduce your children to what’ s possible. Inspire them to be great human beings who will elevate the world – in their own special way. Be an enabler.
Here’ s a tool for you that comes from my home. Each night before my kids go to sleep. I make four statements to them.“ You can do whatever you want to do when you grow up.”“ Never Give up.”“ Whatever you do, do it well.” And“ remember how much your dad loves you.” Been doing that every night for four years. They often say,“ Dad, we know all this stuff now. We know we should never give up and how much you love us. It’ s getting boring.” But I have a sense that one day, perhaps when I’ m old and wrinkled, a letter will come in the mail from Colby or Bianca, my two favorite people on the planet. And on that piece of paper will be simple words saying,“ Dad, I’ m living a great life. Thank you for being the father you wee. And thank you for those four statements each night. They made a difference.”