Discovering your kids potential

Do you live through your kids? Or better yet, do you push your kids to be the type of kid/ person you want them to be? Make then participate in the sports you wish you had gotten to try? Engage them in classes and activities to develop talents that you wish you had or had at least been given the opportunity to see if that talent was inside you? I don’t recall feeling this way, or even pushing my older kids into activities, events, social groups or settings that I thought they should be in, but then again that was soooo many years ago, maybe I did and that memory is now gone?!

As my little Turkey gets older day by day and her little personality starts to take shape we have been making a list of the things we would like her to do and be a part of. Dance class because she likes to shake it, tumbling or some sort of class because she loves to get out my exercise mat and workout, maybe a baby yoga diva??? Of course hubby instantly wants her in t-ball, softball, and earning college scholarships playing softball - UMMM NO! Okay I will consider it if SHE really wants to do it!

But it isn’t our job as parents to decide what our kids get to be or become…it is however our job to recognize, direct, and encourage our kids to grow and develop their gifts, skills, and talents to become…a better version of themselves! Does this mean throw them into every class? Sign them up to play every sport? Invest in every instrument?  Well we could but let’s be honest, that would not only burn them out but you have to DRIVE them to everything, support them, pay for it, encourage it, attend the recitals, shows, games…yea this list goes on and on and on! Are you tired yet??? 

“In order to help them (our children) grow and mature to THEIR fullest potential, we must get to know our children, understand them, and recognize their strengths and weaknesses. We must help them discover their unique bents.”   But how exactly are we going to succeed in helping them reach their direction in life?

We start by SEEING THE POTENTIAL! Begin by writing down the potential you see in your child(ren) in these four areas of growth:

1. Mental
2. Physical
3. Spiritual
4. Social

Note the qualities, interests, and/ or aptitudes you see. Share this list with others and especially your child(ren), help them chose and decide what they need to develop these potentials. Always….ALWAYS, be observing and adding to this list!

Together with your child, if they are of age to be able to express their desires and suggestions, OFFER OPPORTUNITIES OF GROWTH! Let them try a variety of things they like, this doesn’t mean bombard them with that heavy schedule of school and activities, but allow them to test different areas of interests. Sometimes this could be as simple as interacting and involving them in activities at home. Do they show a desire to draw? Then grab a handful of paper, some pens, pencils, crayons, markers (you get the idea). Our older gals for about 2 years got tons of art stuff, because it seemed like they were both doodling non-stop and even more-so when they were together. Their room has easels, canvases of all different sizes, pencils, drawing paper of various sizes, tracing paper, every paint color and type you can imagine and twice as many brushes. But the funny thing is, neither of them LOVE it so much they want to make art part of their everyday life…nope it is true, to them this is their way to relax, unwind, share some quality time together and hide away from the world for hours when they want to be left alone! 

Please, please, please, don’t get caught up on the thought that if you don’t put them in every class, every sport, every THING, they will miss out, not become the superstar you think they are who think they could be. We have all heard it, that one child who  doesn’t want to be there, whining constantly that they want to go home, acting out to try to make their point, yet are forced to stay and are miserable.

Now they have found what they want to do, what they excel in….or have the desire to put 100% of their all into something, something THEY have chosen…now what? Have THEM set goals, goals of what they want to accomplish, where they want to go. Encourage THEM to write out realistic and obtainable goals and then encourage them to develop strategies on how they can reach their goals. Have them share and revisit their goals often, because just like you, their goals/ dreams/ desires may change! 

Have any additional thoughts to share, ideas, or other suggestions regarding this topic? If so please comment below!