Let them dream...

I am the youngest of eight boys - a blessing and a curse. I can remember growing up and hearing messages about what I could and couldn't do. Didn't matter the subject I always had someone looking over my shoulder and telling me what was allowed or acceptable. Sometimes it was my Mother's Catholic guilt, other times it was the threat of a slug from a brother. Yes - eight boys will fight!

With my kids, I have made a conscious effort to let them dream, let them use their imagination and creativity to be who they want to be. Let them define who they are. My daughter flew through the Barbie / Princess stage in 20 seconds. Much to her mother's dismay, she wanted to play Lego's, build things in the garage and be a tom boy. Here favorite clothes to this day are t-shirts and jerseys. Her wearing a dress is an act of Congress and bribery. I have always allowed her to dream about the sports she wants to play, the hobbies she enjoys.

I have two nephews that are bright and imaginative kids. A couple of years ago, one of them choose his costume for Halloween. He was a Pirate Fighter Plane... imagine combining a fighter plane and pirate costumes. Was he different? Most definitely! But his parents encouraged him to use his imagination, have fun and most importantly - be himself!

My challenge personally, and to all of you, is don't let stereo-types and our own limitations block our kids from becoming the person they are! Perhaps I would be a rock star today if I hadn't been told that I couldn't play the guitar when I was a kid. We set limits on our kids - instead lets encourage them to imagine, explore and most of all to dream. They are our future....