Monday, July 21, 2008

Parents make all the difference

It is interesting what influence parents have in shaping their kids lives and even personalities. I am actually quite amazed. I have been thinking about it quite a bit lately. Just looking at my own kids... they do have their own personality but it just amazes me how much of you ends up in your kids. If your kids is popular... you probably influenced that; if your kid is a dork, you probably had a lot to do with that; if your kid is awesome, you probably had something to do with that.... you get the idea.... what you do and how you raise your kids makes a big difference.

Catie and I were just talking the other day about whether we would let our kids dress dorky (or in essence be dorky). Catie says no... I probably would try and steer them to dress not dorky.... but, on the other hand, my junior year in high school I wore sweatpants and pajama pants (almost everyday)... mind you at that point it didn't matter as much in school (I hung out with most people (from "dorks" to jocks)).

It just amazes me how MUCH of you is in your kids. I love sports.... most likely at least one of my 3 kids will like sports because of me (or at least it will be an influence in their life). The same goes with music and art... Catie and I both value fine art stuff so most likely one of then will like music and/or art too... but who knows.... you never can tell. Maybe I am just hoping. But I have noticed some of my parents in myself lately (scary....... apparently parenting brings that out in you).

I don't think my kids will be dorky because as far as I know Catie and I aren't too nerdy. BUT we did talk and decide that we would rather have a kid that is a dork and doesn't get into drinking, partying, and everything that goes along with that. Dorks and nerds are fine as grown-ups... (most of them at least). A lot of them just end up making a lot of money :)


Realistically I won't make the difference whether they are cool or dorky... and it shouldn't matter to me either... I am not going to live through my kids. I just am going to love my kids the best I can and steer them to God. That is the other thing that parents GREATLY influence... your relationship with Jesus... it just matters. If God is first in your life it impacts your kids. Now that doesn't mean your kids will all go the same direction in their faith as you (and it doesn't mean they will stay out of trouble) but you love for Christ... when you show it.... makes a huge difference.

No comments: