You are here because you want to make the future the best it can be through hope and high expectations for youth – yours or someone else’s. HOPE does spring eternal when adults reflect their expectation for moral strength, success and responsibility. All kids are capable of success given the right set of circumstances.  We have nothing to lose if we expect the best, while so much is at stake if we don’t.  

First and foremost, parents hold the top spot in the pyramid when it comes to influencing their children.  A strong parent is a golden thread to the future of every child and our nation. Along with strong parents, kids also need significant other adults in their young lives. In many cases, as recently identified by Jennifer’s blog comment last week, a significant other adult is all some children may have. Families are often greatly stressed in today’s world and structures may deteriorate.

Our kids, however, are always watching, and listening to more than we may realize.  So our job, especially as parents, as well as other significant adults, is to create a VISION of what we expect of our children in the future.

Here are a few tips on how to navigate the vision-building journey that may help you to set the stage for the future and be a KID-HERO.  Take a blank piece of paper and entitle it, “Kid Vision.” This can be done by any significant adult in the life of a young person. In the first column list the following categories: (1) young person, (2) others, and (3) life’s work/career.  You may rename these categories or add a few more, depending on your sphere of influence. This is a working copy, a brainstorming sheet, and is not set in stone.

In the second column on your page, list the OUTCOME of your dream for this child in each of the categories. Teachers, mentors and family members can easily do this exercise as well. Dream big and make sure your expectations raise the bar. Put your paper aside and look at it again in a day or two to see if you have touched the key components of your dream for your special kid. 

Congratulations! You have begun a very valuable and significant journey. If you can see it, you can do it.  It would be great if you could share your kid dream or experiences with VISION BUILDING.