Redefining Rich - Parenting for True Wealth
Tuesday, December 05, 2023
The Beauty of Planting a Belief System for Growing Minds
Let's chat about the three big 'P's in our lives - no, not pizza, popcorn, and pancakes (though, yum).
I'm talking about Parenting, Partnership, and... drumroll, please... Parentpreneurship!
Yep. I always say Entrepreneurship, Marriage, and PARENTING are the three things that will grow you as a person the MOST in life. And if you're nodding along, chances are you're in the thick of it, just like me.
You know the drill.
One minute you're a diaper-changing superhero, the next you're closing deals like a boss. Your schedule? More packed than a preschooler’s lunch box.
And sleep?
What's that?
Is it that mythical thing people talk about, like unicorns or a clean house?
Kidding!
But despite the chaos, the spills, and the never-ending to-do list, there's MAGIC in this madness.
A magic that I’ll be sharing in this blog especially for mompreneurs and dadpreneurs out there!
The Art of Strong-Minded Parenting
Remember those days when your parents said, "Because I said so!" and that was that?
Well, times have changed.
Strong-minded parenting is the new cool. Now, it's about guiding our kiddos to be future leaders, thinkers, and doers.
Spoiler alert. It starts with us!
Now, let's break it down.
Strong-minded parenting isn't about being a drill sergeant but being a COACH, a MENTOR, a CHEERLEADER.
When we demonstrate to our kids that life is filled with both opportunities and challenges, we're equipping them to develop the resilience and intelligence needed to navigate and overcome these obstacles.
In fact, gone are the days of parenting by decree. Kids are sharp, and they want to know the 'WHY' behind everything. And that's great! Whenever I see my kids actively thinking, questioning, and not just accepting things at face value, it truly warms my heart.
As strong-minded parents, we're here to guide those questions, to fuel that curiosity, and to help them find the answers in a way that builds their understanding of the world and the way it works.
The Price Tag of Material Love
Recently on our podcast episode, I had Bridger Pennington on - amazing guy, by the way - and he talked about how easy it is to fall into this trap where we think giving our kids the latest gadgets or a bunch of money is the answer.
And he hits the nail on that one! Because that can actually backfire, creating more of a gap than a bond.
Bridger's own story is pretty cool. He wasn't raised with everything handed to him on a silver platter. Nope. He had chores, earned his allowances – the whole deal. And it wasn’t even about making him work for the sake of it.
His parents raised him this way to teach him value – the value of hard work, earning your keep, and all that good stuff. It really shaped who he is today.
And he said something in the podcast that I wish we could all cling to: “Giving money is gonna hurt your kids more than it helps them.” That can be tough, right? It’s like, we want to give our kids the world, but in doing that, we're taking away their chance to go out and grab it for themselves.
But it's not like we should stop helping them out or anything. It's about striking that balance, you know? Giving them enough to help them grow but not so much that they don’t feel the need to stretch their wings and fly on their own.
We're there to guide them, support them, cheer for them – not to do everything for them.
In this instant-gratification world, teaching our kids to wait, to work for what they want, that’s kind of a big deal. It’s more important to let them be happy and successful on their own terms. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we all want for our kids? To be independent, strong, and ready to take on whatever life throws at them.
So yeah, Bridger’s words? They're a reminder to all of us that we've got a huge role to play, and it’s not just about what we give them materially but how we help them grow as people.
Here's to raising kids who are not just rich in their wallets but in their spirits and minds too!
Beyond Money: Leaving a Legacy of Values
Another gold nugget that Bridger dropped in the podcast is how crucial it is to pass down financial wisdom to our kids. Sure, we can leave them a bunch of money. BUT, teaching them how to handle it? That's the real legacy. 🔥
And here's another thing – mentoring our kids when they're little. It's huge! We're not just talking about teaching them to ride a bike or tie their shoes. We're talking about GUIDANCE - guiding them through life's ups and downs, showing them how to deal with people, how to handle tough situations.
It's similar to planting a tree. You nurture it when it's young and then you get to watch it grow strong and tall.
Another thing that Bridger said that really hit home for me is that, “People forget pretty quickly about you; you're not that important, you're not that cool. Even some of the stuff you build is going to be gone or replaced in a handful of years. What is cool, though, is the people, the next generation, and especially the next generation through your family.”
That's some real talk, right there. This is a reminder that what we're doing isn't just for us, it's for them – our kids, their kids, and so on.
It's humbling when you think about it.
We spend our lives building, creating, doing – but in the end, it's not about the stuff we accumulate but the legacy we leave behind. And not just any legacy. We are talking about the one that goes beyond material possessions - the values we instill in our kids, the lessons we teach them, the love we share.
So, when all is said and done, it's not about being remembered for what we had or what we did.
It's about being remembered for who we were to the people who mattered most – OUR FAMILY. And that's why we do what we do, right? To leave something behind that's bigger than us, something that lasts, something that really, truly matters.
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Parenting Mantra?
In the grand scheme of things, the true wealth we can bestow upon our kids is the richness of character and the treasure of life lessons.
I'm curious – what's your parenting style?
Do you have any special life lessons you're passionate about passing on to your kids?
You can send me an email to share your thoughts and let's inspire each other in this journey of enriching parenting.
Just wanna let you know that in the end...it's not about the size of the inheritance but the depth of the wisdom we impart.
And if you’re looking for more conversations like this, then I invite you to listen to my recent podcast episode with Bridger Pennington that’ll make you say cheers to nurturing the next generation with the true riches of life!
I’m sure you’ll get a ton of nuggets of wisdom in here that will uplift and empower you as a parent!
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