9 Tips For Raising Kids Who Change the World
Last Updated on November 22, 2017 by Alicia Michelle
We have a phrase floating around our house that we ask our kids: “What are you going to do to change the world?”
And we mean it.
We want our kids to dream big dreams with us. We want our home to be a place of imagining, creating and exploring. If dreams are where all plans begin, then dreaming is the impetus of great innovators and leaders.
And wouldn’t you agree the world needs more innovators and leaders? People who fearlessly and passionately pursue a goal to improve or better a situation? Isn’t that the real goal of our parenting?
9 Tips for Raising Kids Who Change the World
I am by no means an expert in this subject, but here are 9 mindsets we keep in order to raise kids who change the world:
- Encourage questions and exploratory learning
- Expose kids to others who changed (or who are currently changing) the world
- Slowly, and as age dictates, introduce kids to the problems of our age
- Build in our kids a strong moral foundation and a desire to do the right thing
- Be our kids' champion in all things and at all times
- Love our kids, regardless of their imperfections
- Challenge our kids to do hard things
- Believe in our children's dreams and help them pursue their passions
- Model leadership and be world-changers ourselves (even if it’s only changing the world within our four walls)
- Teach our kids godly self-confidence
![Our kids need to learn to get along!!! We've declared "Love and Peace (Or Else)" [VibrantHomeschooling.com]](https://aliciamichelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/love-and-peace-or-else-image-social-WEB.jpg)
Yes, Leah! Exactly! I completely agree! I think there’s this great thing that happens when we just take the time to hang out with our kids and open up discussions. Thank you for your comments. 🙂
I think this is great. As our four kids have gotten older- two teens now- I’ve learned that the two most important things are to teach them to think critically and to communicate. We are always talking, talking, talking and analyzing and discussing. 🙂
Dawn,
Thank you for taking the time to write such poignant thoughts about this piece. I think you’re right–we do have to hold in a delicate balance the tension between encouraging our kids to “touch destiny” (love how you put that!) and to be content with being ENOUGH as a child of the living God (no matter what He allows them to experience in life). Yes, God is so incredible in that He uses everyone no matter where they are, and no matter how many times they feel they’ve “messed up.” To our family, being a world changer doesn’t necessarily mean being famous or well-known for your actions. It simply means teaching kids to always be asking God, “How can I accomplish your great and wonderful purposes in my life, in this moment?” It’s reminding them that God has gifted them with the power to change the world–His power flowing through them to accomplish both the hidden and the known to the outside world. I think ultimately it’s about teaching them that they have God-given purpose in every season, and to not be afraid to step out and walk in that for His glory. 🙂 Blessings to you as well today!! 🙂
Great reminder, Alicia, to live beyond the comfort of the every day and challenge our children to touch destiny. We talk about these things at our home, too. Homeschooling provides many opportunities to have these deep conversations, and I am thankful for the chance making that lifestyle choice provided for our own family.
I have to say that I smiled as I read your sidebar. “Plan to be Flexible”.. I wish I had read that when I started homeschooling, it may have saved many tears. 🙂 I learned the hard way.. the real life meets the road way.. about flexibility and home education, but I wouldn’t change it either. We have learned so much.
I will say, though, that one thing we have come to.. that all those books and conferences didn’t really say is that it is ok when things don’t GO as you planned. It is ok if it doesn’t look as you thought it may, and it is ok to be human. We want our kids to know that too. We want them to be life changers who embrace the humanity in the heart of the vessel they are serving and be an extension of Christ loving them right where they are.
We have learned that in our opportunities to witness real life, we are showing our children the grace and faithfulness of of a God who loves them immeasurably and how much better to let them imitate the art of grace as they serve through those life lessons while we are there with them.
Blessings,
Dawn
Sybil, thank you for your encouragement! I actually just submitted another post to your Make A Difference Mondays group, but I will submit this one too! 🙂 Have a great day!
This is fantastic Alicia! You may enjoy the Make A Difference Mondays facebook group and our coordinating linkup to share your posts : ) If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/654000968019361/ http://www.shelivesfree.com/2015/02/chriskyleday.html