Young children aren’t afraid to dream big. When you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, the answers will vary. Their ambitions include everything from astronauts and firefighters to doctors and movie stars. But what happens when those initial aspirations fade away? Encouraging your children to aim high is an essential part of parenting, but it’s not always easy.

Parenting is a challenge, and what you hope to gain from it are the skills to raise independent children who can venture out into the world and find their own path – whatever that might be. When they lack drive or ambition, that can be difficult. How can you keep encouraging your children to dream big and find that motivation to succeed? Take a look at some of the advice below to help you figure it out.

Talking is important

How often do you have real conversations with your children? As a busy family, it’s not always easy to sit down together and catch up. However, there are many benefits to families sitting down for dinner together, particularly when it comes to physical and mental health. Even if a daily dinner isn’t possible, sitting down for breakfast instead is another option to consider. It’s the perfect opportunity for members of the family to share what they did during the day, learn about new interests and events and what their concerns are. This important time can reveal a lot about your children, identifying problems before they get worse while also highlighting and discovering things about their personality that could benefit their careers later in life.

Get involved in homework

There is evidence out there that shows parental involvement in education is beneficial to learning. Therefore getting involved in your child’s homework and education could prove to be quite beneficial, especially for their future career prospects. By observing their strengths, you’ll get a good idea of what type of career they might be suited for, as well as any hidden talents they might not even be aware of themselves.

The capacity in which you can help varies from parent to parent, but even asking questions about what they’re studying can help you to stay on top of what your child is learning at school, while also giving them some practice at explaining and presenting to others. It may seem like a minor thing, but it could be extremely valuable to them as they decide on a career. Ask them about what they’re enjoying about their subjects and what they dislike about them. Encourage their interests where possible to help them maintain an interest in their school work and getting good grades.

Set a good example by showing them what you do

It’s important for children to have role models, so why can’t that role model be you? How can you genuinely encourage your children to follow their dreams, if they aren’t witnessing you do the same? Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is an annual initiative that encourages parents to expose their kids to their work environment. Not only does it help them to find out more about what you do, but it can instill excitement and ambition in them to land a good job and work hard for the future life that they desire. This year the event takes place on Thursday, April 26, and if you do decide to participate – the following dos and don’ts could help you to get the most out of it.

Don’t be afraid to tackle issues

Teenagers can be difficult to handle. They’re going through a lot of physical and emotional changes and the different pressures can affect their attitude towards school and their future. If you’re noticing that your child is performing poorly in school, you need to tackle it immediately to prevent it from becoming a serious problem. There are some solutions to help you tackle challenges with your teen, which could help you address issues they might be facing.

If however, problems become more worrisome, you might need to seek further help. You could talk to the school to see if they have any solutions, or you might need to seek more specialized professional help. There are troubled youth programs available which can help teenagers to resolve their issues and get their lives back on track. Overcoming problems is a strength and valuable life experience, ideal for setting them up for their future.

Help them discover their interests

One thing that you can do as a parent is to help your children to discover their interests. Whether they enjoy music or sports, helping your kids to find their passions can help them decide where they want to go on in life. Be supportive of the things they want to try – doing so could have a huge impact on their ambitions. If it doesn’t work out or they lose interest, try not to come down on them too hard – it’s better than not trying at all.

Some children need a bit of a push to give things a try. A bit of shyness or a lack of confidence can hold children back from doing something that they might enjoy. Give them a bit of a gentle nudge and don’t let them feel as though they have to commit to something right away.

Be supportive

As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is to be supportive. Despite what you might believe, your children do care what you think. Be on their side and be there for them when they need support. Positivity is essential, and it could be you that helps them to keep aiming high.
All parents want their children to succeed, and you can help them to achieve their dreams. Keep them inspired and help them along their path to ensure success, whatever form that takes. If this talk of dreaming big is stirring something within you, great! You too may likely benefit from advice on efficiently chasing your dreams and cease running out of steam.

With your encouragement and support, there’s no reason why your children can’t grow up to be whatever they choose to be. Even the sky isn’t the limit!

*Collaborative post