We are all given opportunities. We may not like our choices, but they are there. Some of us are given the chance to travel, or the opportunity to take more leadership at the office. Are we providing opportunities for our children and are they the right opportunities?
Recently
I’ve heard a lot of talk about doing too much for our children. I agree that we
can do too much for them and they will have a harder time growing up, however,
I also believe that we need to put opportunities in front of them to make them
more well-rounded citizens.
At
school last week, I set up an appointment with my son’s teachers and guidance
counselor to give him the opportunity to check in with the teachers, turn in
any missing work or ask any questions he might have had. That’s not spoiling
him or giving him anything. I also provide opportunities for volunteering, and
exploring other locations and even countries.
We
don’t do our children any favors if we keep them at home playing on their Xbox
and watching TV. Those aren’t the types of opportunities that help our
children.
Opportunities
to play a sport, to try a musical instrument, or listen to an interesting
speaker, provide connections and brain development that can’t be found anywhere
else. I don’t regret taking my children to meet authors speaking in the area. I
don’t regret having them involved in Scouts.
By
providing transportation, support and encouragement, our children can take the
opportunities given and transform their lives. I know of two girls in the class
of 2014 from Windham High School who are in Spain studying. Other students are
working as part of AmeriCorps out west.
Trips like these happen with parent support and involvement and my guess
is that these families taught their children about seizing opportunities
whenever they present themselves.
I’m
hoping to provide more opportunities for my children in the next few years and
from those experiences I hope they will realize that the sky is the limit.
What
will your children do?
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