We all want what’s best for our children. We dream of our kids growing up, pursuing their dreams, becoming independent and successful, finding happiness, community, and love. We picture that day we will send them off onto their next chapter, feeling both excited and nervous– maybe even nostalgic for the days when toys cluttered the house. We hope for wonderful things for them. We hope we did enough. We hope they’ll come home for the holidays–that they will feel welcome and excited to see us when they visit. These are the dreams we share as loving parents and caregivers. These are the dreams I have for my kids too.
The truth is: the relationships we create with our kids now will inform the health of our relationships with them as they grow up and also impact their relationships with future partners and friends. That can feel like a lot to carry as a parent. How could we possibly live up to our own standards? The answer is we can’t always, but we can keep trying consistently. The goal is not to be perfect, but instead to be intentional in how we parent.
Intentionality can be defined as making deliberate decisions with purpose based on our values and on what matters most in our lives. Through intentional parenting, we can take steps to create healthy relationships with our kids in the present, setting them up to live out those beautiful dreams we have for them in their future.
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