Not all parents give up some grand dream as they settle down and become parents. But many do.  If you are one of those, but you moved forward and created new dreams and your children see that, then they will be emboldened to both pursue their grand dream and have the flexibility to change that dream if they have to.  Your example makes all the difference as to whether they can do that successfully.

But, if you are one who just put away the dream inside the guitar case in the attic, or in the paint brushes in the drawer, or in the hiking boots in the basement then do your children a favor and get them out, dust them off and use them.  Your children will be excited to see you once again pursuing a dream. It doesn’t have to be the same dream of a recording contract or a big gallery show or a job as a naturalist in a National Park. It just needs to be you pursuing what gives you joy.

Nothing will be better for your kids than to see you live the life you want to live.

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Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily


Quote by Carl Jung, 1875-1961, Swiss psychiatrist

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