Parenting with Love: Wishing for Simple Happiness and Authenticity in Our Children's Lives
As a parent, my primary wish for my children is their happiness. I don’t place too much importance on career success, wealth, or external validation. My most fundamental hope is that they find fulfillment and joy in their lives.
The Road to Parenting Success
People often ask, ‘what do you wish your children do with their lives once they are grownups?’ My wife has a unique and honest perspective: “I just hope no reporter ever comes up sticks a microphone in my face and says ‘Did you ever think he was capable of such evil.’”
With four grown adult children, we have achieved a level of parenting success that we can celebrate. My heart brims with pride knowing they are wonderful human beings, each contributing positively to the world. They may not meet all my aspirations, but they are good, successful, and happy individuals.
Fostering Authenticity and Self-Expression
As parents, one of our primary goals is to nurture our children’s unique personalities and help them stay true to themselves. I desire that my children be self-sufficient, hard-working, compassionate, and wise.
My youngest daughter is wild, funny, and mischievous, yet she is still my daughter. I don’t impose unrealistic expectations on her. She might choose to be a dogsled musher, a nomadic yoga practitioner, or a refugee crisis aid worker. Whatever she chooses, I support her wholeheartedly.
My youngest son, though experimental and curious, will become a chef, hotelier, or pediatrician – paths that might surprise me but bring him joy and fulfillment. My oldest son, charismatic and dedicated, aspires to be a musician, a YouTuber, a street busker, an illustrator, a father, and a volunteer at a homeless shelter. His dreams are as diverse as his character, and I respect each one.
Empowering Independence and Emotional Intelligence
To support their independence, I encourage my children to do household chores and learn essential life skills. They help us cook, clean, and even make up word games. Through play, they develop empathy, generosity, and a strong sense of self-worth.
Independence and emotional intelligence go hand in hand. I strive to be an example of authentic self-expression and healthy self-care. Whenever I can, I model these behaviors, teaching them to respect and understand each other's boundaries. We learn to observe the world around us and appreciate the miracles of nature together.
Achieving These Goals Every Day
Parenting isn’t always easy, and achieving these goals requires constant effort. I believe that children learn a great deal from how we treat them and ourselves. By showing them that we respect their individuality, they learn to respect the boundaries of others and to set their own.
Our ultimate goal is for them to live authentic, happy, and fulfilling lives. Whether they are artists, scientists, or entrepreneurs, I want them to be free, loving, and completely themselves. As I age, the lessons I impart continue to shape their lives, and I take solace in the fact that I am contributing to their well-being and happiness.