Parents, nobody knows our own kids better than we do, right? We knew them before they were even born! Thus, no one has known them longer and no one has spent more time with them than us! They are our little ones. They are little extensions of us. So, of course we know them better than anyone else does.
However, even though they are little versions of us, they are also little versions of our mate too, as well as their environment, circumstances and times that they are growing up in. And that time, space, and place is different than what we parents grew up in. Furthermore, our kids are their own unique version of themselves too.
So, with so many variables and multiples at play here, it has to make us wonder about the complexity of our children at least a little bit, doesn’t it? I mean, we think we truly know who our kids are, but to be honest with you, I think sometimes we adults don’t even know who we are…
Maybe we should begin this process with questioning our beliefs about how well we really know our kids. At the least, maybe we should take some additional time to truly get to know our kids even better than we think we know them. Making this extra effort certainly couldn’t hurt. And who knows what precious gem we may uncover by turning over a few more stones in our kids’ lives?
So, what should we ask our kids? Simple. Anything we want that isn’t a yes or no question. Let’s have some fun and ask them things like, “Who is your favorite super hero and why?” Or, “What are the five best things about being you?” Let’s be curious again, like a kid.
Now, as my Granddaddy always said, “Go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us.” Have a little fun getting to know your kids even better than you already do. And once again parents, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…