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It may be a lack of effort on the part of your parents that motivates you to be the kind of parent they weren't, or you may find yourself trying to emulate your parents because you realize the older you get that they really gave you their very best.
Either way, there is no such thing on this earth as a perfect parent, but there are a few things you can do to set your kids on a path to success.
1. Personal interviews
It doesn't matter whether it's a father, mother or both parents conducting an interview with their child, the important thing is that it is done.
Children need an opportunity to talk to their parents one on one. They need an open forum to discuss concerns and to share their dreams.
In my home, my father held interviews with us once a month. He always helped us set educational, physical and spiritual goals for our lives. He emphasized the importance of writing down these goals because as he often quoted, "A goal not written is only a wish."
When I was a college student, I returned home one day to find one such list of goals on my mirror. My mom had found an old list of my goals while cleaning and placed it somewhere I would easily see it when I returned home.
As I looked over these goals that I had long since forgotten recording, I realized that I achieved almost every goal on my list. I had played college basketball, I was a student at the university I wanted to attend, I had read the books I wanted to read, and had just enjoyed my summer dream job.
There is power in talking with your children, helping them set their sights high and then encouraging them to achieve their goals.
I know this because I experienced firsthand the difference this made in my life.
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