My Perspective

An Introduction to My Perspective

Whether I am speaking to a group of teachers, coaches, business professionals or parents, I begin with the two basic philosophies that explain where my perspective lies. Since this is primarily a parent blog, my examples will stay focused on the relationships within families and their circles of friends, relations, mentors and caregivers.

My two guiding principles of raising and working with kids….

1. BE WHO YOU NEEDED: Think of yourself when you were the age of your child/children. Reflect on your life at that time and ask yourself:

• Who were the adults around you?
• Did they understand you? Give you the time you needed?
• What do you wish you could have received from them?
• How did you react to them?
• What did you NEED?
• What did you wish they understood most about you?

How simple it would be if we each thought about this and pledged to be the kind of parent and mentor you wish you would have had. Every single day, give some thought to what your kid is going through at this stage in his life. Our children give us the opportunity to be the parents we always wished we had. Become the person you needed.

1. WHAT WILL THEY SAY: I don’t know about you, but when we’re out with our friends and the subject of our own parents or teachers comes up, most of our parents get slammed for all they didn’t, couldn’t or wouldn’t do.

I think it’s vital for parents to spend time reflecting on what their children will be saying to their friends and spouses 20, 30, 40 years from now. That gets us to think about our motivation for doing and saying things to our kids that they will take into the rest of their lives. Even more important, it helps us to react more consistently and remember our incredible responsibility to lead them through life in a kinder and gentler way.