I've grown in wisdom as a parent over the years, but I certainly had only a fraction of that wisdom when I started having kids! I don't regret anything – - I did some things really well and other things not so well – - but it sure would have been nice to have my current wisdom when I started out!
That's why I was so impressed with Felicity Luckey. She's a woman of great wisdom. And she has that wisdom early on in her parenting journey.
Her lens, 100 Things I Want to Teach My Son, starts out with a significant statement. Felicity writes, "This is my list of the things that I believe will teach him to make the best possible choices for himself, and help him to live a happy, healthy, successful life."
The key word here is "himself."
And that's a wise and brave statement.
The statement is followed by a quote from Kahlil Gibran: "You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts."
How often, as parents, do we significantly influence our kid's thinking in order to protect them or pass on what we think is right in a situation? We do it with good intentions and it might seem like the safest course of action, but is it the wisest? Does it allow our kids to be able to make their own choices and develop their own thoughts?
Felicity goes on to share some powerful quotes that speak of the things she wants to teach her son. Something hugely important is, "I believe in you" (Blaise Pascal).
Wow.
How empowering are those words? I believe in you. They speak volumes about the value of a person . . . about the trust that we place in that person to make the choice that's right for them. How desperately do people want and need to hear those words?
Powerful stuff.
Actually, the entire lens is that powerful. Through quotes from unique sources, video and her own words, Felicity inspires people to take a look at what they want to pass on to their kids and encourages us to gain parenting wisdom from one another. So, it's even great for people who don't have kids. After all, "It takes a village to raise a child."
What would you add to your list of things to teach your kids?
Image Credit: A child's hand card by magnetic
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I'm a life coach, teacher, direct seller and internet marketer who loves Squidoo and being involved with the Squidoo community. I'm a mom of 4 kids, aged 13, 17, 19 and 21. I'm also a new grandma! I love personal growth, spirituality, nature, elephants, vegetarian eating, writing, reading and learning. But my posts may or may not be about these topics. Primarily, I like to highlight great-quality lenses that make me think or that present meaningful ideas.
Leanne, now that my kids are getting ready to leave the nest, I too see how much wiser I am now than when they were young. Part of me wants to have a chance to do it over, maybe with grandchildren? Felicity is an excellent new lensmaster and I love her collection of quotes for her son and the Gibran poem.
What a wonderfully inspiring lens, Leanne! Reading Gibran again brought back so many memories. If she accomplishes teaching him even half of her list he will be a remarkable man.
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There is so much depth in that lens. Importance.
I have a saying that I spout loud and often, I'll clean it up a bit here ;)
"Children are the smartest beings on this planet; until adults get a hold of them and screw them up."
We are good about teaching biases, intolerance, and one sided views. We really do owe it to our children to teach them how to think, not what to think.
Fantastic review and lens!
I love the idea of allowing kids to make their own choices, armed with the knowledge and unbiased advice that a parent is able to pass on. An engaging review of a very inspiring lens that I agree holds something of value to every one of us.
wow!!!!!!!!! What a powerful lens! Thank you, Leanne for sharing that one! I had not seen it!
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Love this quote from 100 Things I Want To Teach My Son: ""To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." –Lewis Smedes"
What a great and thoughtful lens, Leanne. You found a very powerful one — as Joan said. :)