3 Things I Want My Children To Grow Up With.

Mike-Berry

3 Things I Want My Children To Grow Up With.



You may call me a bad parent for saying this but I'm just going to put it out there...


I don't care if my kids are good at sports, graduate tops in their class, become a doctor, or even make a lot of money some day!


There, I said it!


I can feel your digital stares. I'm sure there's a virtual head shaking going on right now. :-)


While I'm not downplaying these things, nor claiming that I wouldn't be proud if my son suddenly took a liking to football, or my daughter ended up in medical school, I'm just not basing their personal success on this.


I don't believe things like a college degree, money, a high-paying job, or notoriety constitute success. Again, they're not bad, they're just not the definition of success.


What constitutes success, as far as I'm concerned is this: Values.


That's right, values. Beyond all of the worldly acolades my children could achieve, I want them to grow up having values. In fact, there are 3 values I hope and pray my children grow up to have:


1- A genuine love for others.


2- A generous lifestyle.


3- A heart to serve.


If we can raise them to love people, give extravagantly, and serve whole-heartedly, we have succeeded as parents. Even if they don't go to the top-notch college, or have a career that earns them a lot of money, I hope they have these 3 values.


The pressure is on us, as parents, though. The only way they'll grow up with values such as these, is if they see them on full-display in us. The world won't teach them, I have to teach them.


They will learn to be generous if they see their mother and I giving extravagantly. They will love others if they see and hear us, not judging, but loving and accepting. They will serve if they see this applied to our life.


Parenting is hard stuff. I'm sure if you are a parent you can relate. Your children are watching your every move, and taking mental notes on what they see and hear. It's a lot of pressure. But, this is how we shape the future. This is how we change the world.


The future will be bright if we put love, generosity and servanthood on full display for our children to see. They will model after us, what they see in us and hear from us.


What do you think about this? As a parent, have you found this hard to do? Why or why not?

3 Things I Want My Children To Grow Up With.
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