by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: February 09, 2009

Children are dreamers and dreamers can become achievers. The biggest difference between the child who grows up to see their dreams become reality and those who throw theirs to the wayside are the people around them, primarily their parents. Our children are our greatest gift. They are blank slates at the beginning and we will help mold and shape them into what they will become as adults. We can assist them along the path to many accomplishments if only we take the time and realize what our words and actions are telling them.

When your child comes to you and shares a dream, encourage it. Be supportive even if you aren't so sure that it is possible. You may just be amazed one day when they show you that it indeed was possible and part of what made it so was that you never told them it wasn't. Children take the words of their parents to heart, so if you say it isn't so, then for them, it isn't. If, however, you say it is, then by the same token, it is.

Build self-esteem in your children by edification. When we speak positive things over their lives, they feel loved and treasured. When we talk negatively, they feel like a burden and as if they are unworthy of anything good. This will surely crush dreams before they can even get off the ground, let alone begin to take flight. Give them self-esteem and give them wings! You will get the biggest reward as you watch them grow wings and take flight on their own one day.

It is said that "without a dream, the people perish" and isn't this true? Without a dream, there is no hope and without hope, there is no life. When we see the eyes of a street person, what do we often see? A lack of hope. Their dreams have long been extinguished and they are on the verge of giving up. Life, for them, is often nothing more than a formality, rather than something they feel in their spirit. Our children need a vision in order to find success. We can help them to find one by encouraging them to aspire to greatness in whatever area their interests lie.

If we are to be "dream catcher" parents, we must give them the tools they will need to succeed. There are people who will be able to claw their way to the top on their own, but it is rare. If your child shows a talent or an interest in a specific area, support them with lessons, books, trips, and anything else that will give them a greater knowledge and more exposure to the area.

Our children are our future. If we want a successful generation to lead us into tomorrow, we are the ones that must raise them into that position. Children dream and dreams can come true. Encourage, support and enable these little ones and then you can sit back and watch with a smile, as they fulfill the dreams of their youth.

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