What is your child good at?
How do you help them nurture their gifts and talents?
Parents, more than just having your own hopes and dreams for your child, it is important to encourage them to follow their own dreams and help nurture their talents.
If you are wondering how you could support your child’s pursuit of their dreams, Papuri! artist and Beyond Small Talk guest Rommel Guevara shares 5 things that can help you bring out your child’s best:
1. Be motivated by love
Are you pushing your child to excel in areas that they are not genuinely interested in?
It is understandable why many parents would want to have a say in their child’s life. They want their children to succeed. However, this practice can do more harm than good.
Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz of Child Mind Institute says that pushing kids to do things they don’t like can lead to anxiety disorder or learning disability.
Perhaps, it is time to examine your own motivations for pushing your child in a certain direction. When you want to support your child’s best interest, it is always best to be motivated by love.
2. Let them know that you support their dreams
Does your child know that you’ve got their back?
Discover your child’s gift and interests, and intentionally show your support!
“When our daughter was born, we prayed to support her dreams. We do not want to pressure her into doing ministry work, just because her parents are in the ministry. We let her discover her passions as she grows up,” Rommel said.
3. Don’t withhold discipline
It is good to give your child the freedom to choose their own path. Likewise, parents are called to guide their children (Proverbs 22:6). Fantastic parents are those who learn how to strike a balance between freedom and discipline.
Rommel shared, “We should support our children, but that doesn’t mean tolerating them when they are doing the wrong things. Love and support come with discipline.”
Remember, you can show your love and support by setting boundaries.
4. Support their talents and interests
What makes your child unique?
Sometimes, you need to step out of your comfort zone to help your child explore their gifts and talents.
Encouraging them through words is great! But there are also times when you need to show your support by providing them the tools, materials, and supplies that will further nurture their talents.
Simply put, your wallet will be involved – which leads us to point number 5.
5. Provide financial support
To Rommel, moral support is wonderful, but it is better if parents can also support their children’s interests financially.
So, if the budget allows, do not hesitate to bless your child with the equipment and materials they need. After all, you are investing in the life of your loved one!
But what if the budget is limited?
Parents, it is best to rely on your limitless God.
“Thankfully, God only entrusted our children to us. Our children’s real Father is in heaven,” Rommel said. “So, when it comes to the financial needs of our daughter, we ask God for provision. He will supply the needs of our children.”
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)
Do you find these tips helpful in supporting your child’s gifts and talents?
Let us know in the comments section below!
For more inspiring content, don’t miss the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk this Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 7:00 PM, on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel!