Supporting Our Kids in a Changing World: Their Liberation is by Your Support

Have you ever had a heart-to-heart talk with your kids about their future? Recently, I did just that with my 19-year-old son. He’s an amazing young man who has already achieved so much, but he sometimes finds it hard to connect with friends who are on the same level as him. It worries him, and as a mom, I want to help him feel confident about the future!

I made sure to be his biggest cheerleader! I told him to stay positive and keep working hard. But while I was thinking about our conversation, I thought it might be fun to ask my 17-year-old daughter what she thinks about the world right now, especially since she’s still in high school.

When I asked her if she was paying attention to the news and what’s happening in the economy, she said yes! She told me she’s thankful to have a parent who explains things to her. Sometimes, her friends don’t know what’s going on, and she likes to help them think bigger. Isn’t that awesome? But then I asked her if she feels like she has less to look forward to in the future because of everything happening in the United States.

To my surprise, she said yes! She explained that she’s worried about the cost of things. She remembered when she could go to Walmart with $20 and buy three items, but now she can only get one! That really concerned her because it means she might need to make more money in the future, but she fears she might not get paid enough. 

As a parent, it’s tough to hear your child worry about the future. I want to teach my kids about the real world, but I also want them to feel hopeful about their dreams. I know when I was their age, I was mostly thinking about fun things, like going out with friends. But my kids are different - they are aware of the challenges they face.

Sometimes, I talk to my parents about how I raise my kids, and they think I should just tell them what to do. But I believe every generation has its own challenges. What worked for my parents or even for me might not be the best for my kids today. Times have changed, and it’s important to recognize that.

The world is not the same as it was years ago. While some things, like the wheel, are already invented, many other things - like how we learn and earn money - have changed a lot. I think it’s essential for parents to step back and think about how to use what we learned in a way that helps our kids today.

Albert Einstein once said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is so true! We must adapt to the new age of technology and the changing world around us. We need to give our children the space to grow into who they want to be, not who we want them to be.

I truly believe that everyone knows what they want deep down inside. Parents can help guide their kids, support them, and encourage them to follow their dreams. It’s important for children to learn how to be independent and to be honest about what they know and don’t know.

For example, if your child struggles with math homework, you might either get upset because you don’t understand it, or you might find someone who can help them. When you do this, you both learn together! If you’re the kind of parent who gets frustrated, I encourage you to take a step back and think about your child’s future.

So, my message today is for all the Gen X and Millennial parents out there: Let’s take a step back from what we were taught and teach our children to be their true selves. Help them pursue their dreams without fear! Being yourself is the most valuable thing you can offer anyone.

And guess what? I have a plan! I want to buy some land and create a community with small homes for my children. I will always welcome them back home because the world can be hard. I believe it’s important to provide support instead of just pushing them out into the world like a bird learning to fly. They will still need our help.

Let’s teach our children how to navigate life, and let’s support each other as parents! If you believe in this message, please like, share, and follow! Together, we can create a supportive community for our children to thrive in.