How to Raise a Purpose-Driven Child
Raising children is about so much more than keeping them fed and clothed. Most parents want to raise kids who have a sense of purpose and are motivated to do well academically and in their careers. From a young age children are able to understand and learn that there are consequences to their actions and that they can and should strive to make a positive difference in the world. Kids learn a lot from the behavior of their parents, so it'll be easier to raise a purpose-driven child if you have a strong sense of purpose yourself.
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Instructions
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Talk to your children about what they can achieve. Some kids will naturally dream of being fairytale princesses or astronauts. They certainly sound more exciting than becoming a dentist or accountant, but once the child realizes their dream of becoming a princess or an astronaut are not realistic, there's a danger they won't think of any other ambition to fill the gap. Parents should talk to their children about their job prospects in a way that makes them sound exciting. Don't just say "You could be a doctor or nurse," say "You could save lives every day" or "You could perform open-heart surgery one day," or "You'll get to wear a stethoscope." Find something that excites your child's imagination and use it to make them think about their future. If they can get excited about saving lives and believe that they will be able to do that some day then they'll want to know how and when they can start.
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Remember that as your child grows their ideas and motivations may change. If your seven-year-old was excited about being a doctor because it would make them important and they'd get to wear a stethoscope, this may not motivate them by the time they're 10 or 11 years old. You may have to talk to them about other career choices and find what motivates them now. As your children become teenagers money may become the best incentive. They may change their minds several times about what they want to do "when they grow up" and this is nothing to panic about. As long as they have some goal to work towards it will be easier to keep them on the right track, studying hard at school and beyond.
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Give them books that aim to teach kids about goal-setting and overcoming obstacles to reach their targets. Some are based on real life such as "Salt in his Shoes," which is about Michael Jordan's childhood struggle for success. If your children are young, read the books together and use them to start discussions about what your child might want to do with their life and how they can achieve it.
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Safeguard their self-esteem. The biggest barrier to ambition is self-doubt. If your child doesn't believe they can attain their goals then there will be no point in striving for them. Support your child's academic, sporting and social achievements with praise and uncritical assistance where necessary. This will give them the confidence to aim higher and work towards their goals with conviction.
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References
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