Kids are more capable than we give them credit for. That’s the way it is.
I am continually amazed at how little we, in today’s society , expect of our children. It wasn’t all that long ago that children were expected to pull their weight around the family farm – and they were more than capable of doing so. We haven’t traveled all that far along the evolutionary chain as to make them incapable now.
Today, it seems that all children are capable of is sitting in front of a computer screen. Or maybe that’s all parents expect of them. I believe something very different: I say show kids the world and encourage them to live their dreams – and they will.
There have been a number of kids in the news lately for having achieved great things. Jessica Watson recently became the youngest person to sail solo around the world – at age 16. Jordan Romero just summited Everest at age 13. I commend these kids – and their parents for encouraging their children and believing in them.
It’s not easy today to let your child follow an atypical path. Any parent who encourages their child to do something extraordinary will come under fire, and I have no doubts that both Jessica and Jordan’s parents have fielded a barrage of criticism. We’ve also been condemned for living the life we are as we cycle from Alaska to Argentina with our 12-year-old sons.
And yet – when I see the determination in my sons’ eyes and I hear them tell of their adventures so proudly, I know we’re doing the right thing. I know we are allowing Davy and Daryl to reach for the stars – even if those stars appear unreachable. They have dreamed the impossible dream and are now living it – and it isn’t so impossible after all.
The message here is this: for you kids reading this – reach for the stars. Dream the impossible dream. Figure out what you want to do and go for it. The worst that can happen is that you will miss your star and land in the heavens.
And to you parents I say: Let them do it. Let your child reach for the stars. Let your child climb that mountain or cycle to the ends of the world or do what you could never do. Encourage them. And most of all – believe in them. Kids can do way more than you think.
Nancy Sathre-Vogel has been traveling with children since her children were kneehigh to a grasshopper. She shares tips and hints on family travel on her website www.familyonbikes.org
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