I often write to keep myself and my readers inspired to simply not “give up” or to pursue their passion because we all need a shot of encouragement from time to time.  Not only is it a form of therapy for me; but those who subscribe to my blog as well as the casual reader often email me (you can leave comments now so don’t be shy) to let me know how my posts have impacted them and how they look forward to receiving the “daily inspiration” or how they share it in an effort to keep the inspiration going.   My posts pretty much apply to people of all ages but this post is aimed towards the kids so if you have children of your own or you play a vital role in a child’s life, this is for them and you.

The younger generation has the potential for building a brighter future through innovative ideas and unlimited resources.  What sets them apart from the older generations is they have the technology to move them further, faster.  However, with great power comes an even greater responsibility.  As caring, responsible adults, providing support and giving opportunities is critical for unlocking their possibilities to having a promising future.  

In this article, I will explore some effective ways we can support and empower the children.

As someone who mentors and educates children I believe one of, if not, the best ways we can build a strong foundation is by promoting and demonstrating the importance of education and skill development.  Now, this one works in two ways: 

1. They watch the adults around them and then mimic what they see so by us learning and developing ourselves our children, in return, get an accessible “role-model”.  Remember, kids are influenced by what they see and hear so that means that we have to be mindful of how we carry ourselves.  The bar cannot be set at rappers and athlete’s for our children’s aspirations.  They hear their teachers more than the radio throughout the course of the day and yet they are able to recite the latest song and do whatever the new dance is.  This is no fault of the teachers but as parents we have to let our children know the importance of education and highlight the educators and their efforts.
2. The second way is by fostering an environment where they are not only encouraged, but excited to learn more about what interests them.  Kids are imaginative and have bright ideas but they don’t always have the resources or support to get where they need to go.  Don’t just limit them to tutoring for failing grades.  There are workshops for kids and other programs available to broaden their minds while enhancing the skills they already possess.  We have to put the same energy into their gifts as we do travelling all over the state for AAU basketball tournaments. We have let them know that what they want is possible instead of telling them their dreams can’t come true because we can’t see them and offer sports as an alternative.  Allow them to dream and offer them direction and correction when needed.  Just make sure it comes from a place of sincerity.  

In addition to what I just touched on, I am an advocate for mentorships and mentoring programs.  People of all ages can have mentors but sadly many adults feel that at a certain age mentorship is no longer needed but I beg to differ.  If we all stopped looking to be a better version of our former self humanity would be pretty much doomed and eventually be at a standstill but since the world we live in evolves, so must we and having someone show us the ropes is a great way to navigate life.  By creating avenues for mentorship we help the children bolster the skillsets they already have while learning new skills in the process.  With the right mentorship, children (and some adults) can garner a sense of belonging and find their purpose instead of feeling like they are stuck at a crossroad when facing obstacles.

Once a sense of belonging has been established in children they become empowered to be a contributor to solving problems and this creates a network of future leaders and independent thinkers.  It is important to encourage our young people to get involved in community projects, attending student council meetings or anything that gives them a glimpses into the world they will live in as adults.  Once they get a sense of the power of their voices and actions they can stand up for the voiceless but we must educate them on their potential so they use it properly and be more effective.

By joining hands with community programs, policymakers, teachers and law-enforcement in addressing pressing issues we can be a better example for the kids that watch us closely and from afar by amplifying their message so they can be heard before they are caught up in the “system” and not given a fair chance at adulthood.

Let’s go above our duty as parents and adults to give the children of the future a chance to make the world a better place.

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