About Your Kids will Lead
About me…
I am not a writer (that really doesn’t need any more explanation…would a writer seriously open with that statement?). But since I am going to be writing, I think it will help give my posts the right perspective (and you can forgive any grammar mistakes) if I explain what I am not…
I am also not a therapist, psychologist or counselor…other than a “Marriage and Family” elective in college (taken as a GPA helper), I have no training in any aspect of interpersonal relationships, family dynamic, emotional response, behavioral issues or personal development.
What I am is a father, parent and husband… my perspective comes not from books or journals, lectures or educators, not from documentaries or even experts on a particular subject matter, it comes only from life itself. Although you never stop being a parent, our 3 kids are by all measure grown and living independently. I could give you a full bio from my childhood to today, but I’m not sure that would mean much to anyone. Simply put, I would say that I have lived kind of “in the middle” of life. That is to say, for example, that I have always had a roof over my head, but never lived internationally, in a home overlooking the ocean or on top of a mountain. I have siblings, but none are rock stars or actors, in prison or billionaires. I completed school through college, but did not skip any grades, get a perfect score on my ACT, or graduate magna anything. I have worked since the age of 9, but did not work in a mine for a nickel a day or start my own company when I was 15. I have been married for 30 years, but like everyone, it has not been without its challenges, hurdles and struggles. My parents are both alive and been married over 50 years, but offer no magic formula or claim to know the secret to happiness, and if asked, would probably describe their lives much like I describe mine.
So why start writing? Why now? About what?
I guess, like a lot of people, I just feel like we are at a point of “too much”, overload, maybe even a little out of control…I can’t really even answer the question “too much” of what? But can’t help feeling that the younger generation is moving faster and farther away from some really important things. I’m not suggesting that the world go back to “simpler times” and am careful not use a phrase like “back in my day” (mostly because I’d like to believe that I’m not of that age yet), but in my opinion, the last decade has brought a flood of influences and distractions to parents and our kids that have in many cases, pushed some more positive influences and characteristics to the side.
I’ll be writing about observations and ideas that I think parents will be interested in, or at least will make them think. From conversations with others I know that many of you are thinking the same things, feeling the same way and experiencing the same frustrations and struggles.
About the title, “Your Kids Will Lead”…although your kids may experience great success in sports, or academics, or financially, that’s not what I mean by “Lead”. I believe that character is a trait that others are drawn to. Stability in the face of adversity, strength when others may be weak, making difficult choices that go against the crowd, doing the right thing when it is the most difficult, putting others first, reliability, accountability, dependability, honesty…all characteristics that will make your kids rise above the crowd, stand out among their peers, make them “the exception” in a generation that seems driven by following, obsessed with “the latest” and overwhelmed by group think.
My hope is that I can start a conversation that will itself, become a positive influence on both parents and kids.