Are You Following Your Dreams?
Remember when you were little and blowing out your birthday candles, closing your eyes as tight as you could while making a wish? And in that minute of darkness and determination to not tell anyone what you wished for (or else it wouldn’t come true), you saw those dreams come to life as you kept your eyes shut? Perhaps you saw that shiny new bicycle–the one with the big white basket with flowers all over it. Or maybe it was for a new best friend since your old one and her family moved to another state. Or better yet it was to be a princess. A princess that meets her prince charming and lives in a castle. A princess in a beautiful long blue dress.
I always tell my kids that they don’t always have to be the best at everything, just the best at trying. I also let them know that sometimes there are risks, sometimes there will be pain, sometimes we will need to do things that we are not good at or always comfortable doing, but these are the steps they must endure to reach those dreams. Dreams of a princess who meets her prince, lives in a castle and wears a long blue dress.
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She is so sweet, Laura. My daughter is definitely in the princess phase right now. We just try to encourage her to try as well. She does take after her Dad though and always want to win. Guess that's why Wynn is the perfect name for her. 🙂
As a mother to a 30, 32 and 34 year old, I have discovered encouraging words don't stop just because your children have grown. On a daily basis I find myself offering encouraging words about their careers, marriages and roles as mothers – all with the same underlying message of being the best they can be.
He better love the dirty feet! So cute. Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh she's so precious!! Love the photos…the dress and grassy feet are just perfect.
I encourage them by always giving them a positive response and supporting their ideas.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
tweet – https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/375594013484539904
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Your princess is beautiful…bare grassy feet and all!
Your princess is lovely…dirty feet and all! I am the mother of a 25, 29, and 30 year old…and mothering doesn't stop, it's just different! But, I'm always encouraging…I'm their biggest cheerleader! I've always told them they can do anything they set their mind to! 😉
Love love love this post and your little princess is picture perfect beautiful…but the feet…oh those little muddy feet just make my heart happy and I smile out loud!!!! My kids are a little bit older…so now the dreams are when I am the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and when I become the Head Baseball Historian of the world…both dreams…IN REACH!!!! We support and encourage our kids ALWAYS…from the first day they were born and that will never change. I guess giving birth to children that had pinstriped blood (for those that don't understand…we are YANKEE Fans…to the death) and all those art appreciation classes where their friend went on their backs and painted stucko boards with oil paints pretending to me michelangelo really made an impression : ) Sending hugs to you and yours… your children will reach their dreams and have tons of fun dreaming along the way…you rock! hugs…
Your post is so encouraging, sometimes it is very hard for a parent to let go and let a "princess or prince" follow their dreams.
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/Southern21/status/375620274135109632
yes yes yes!!! i totally encourage my kids to not let anything or anyone hold them back! and i am following my dream, too, hoping it is a lesson to them.
I have encouraged my children and other young people that they can live their dreams by giving them my positive example. One young woman was the first female fire fighter in her area, another entered the military and is now serving our country. Seems young people are attracted to me and I focus always on the positive and the possibilities. nancythedove@aol.com
I'm always trying to encourage my daughters. More so by agreeing with whatever new endevor they're undertaking. I tell them what a great idea it is. Also with my youngest daughter I tell her all the time you have to look at the big picture. They both value my opinion and thats more than enough for me. Both are great human beings!
Laura – What a very beautiful little princess you have there…her whole life ahead of her to find her Prince Charming….to make and execute plans that will bring her to her "castle". I so love to encourage my grandkids to dream big-to believe that they can be anything they want to be-if they want it bad enough. I have one that wants to be a doctor and has talked about it since she was three because she wants to "fix" people. Oh-to see her achieve her dreams is one of the desires of my heart.
Great post, Laura. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week-= xo Diana
I encourage my kids by giving them positive feedback on their accomplishments. BTW – the dirty feet are the best part LOL!
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/375716525904121856
How priceless!!! I just know your little princess will find and follow her dreams! I hope she always wants to wear the beautiful gown and get her feet all dirty at the same time……that's living!! 🙂 ~~Angela
Great post, Laura! And I think just the right prince will love that barefoot princess. 😉
I always listen to my son and always encourage him and tell him that he can do anything that he sets his mind to do…..
I am encouraging my son (who has a mild form of Asperger's) to go for his Masters/PhD in Nanotechnology when we didn't think he would even get through undergrad. My daughter, the small-town girl, is living on her own in NYC and not asking for a dime. I never wanted my kids to think there were limits, self-imposed or otherwise, the way my mother limited me. The world is their oyster…all they have to do is shuck it!
Such a sweet post and such a sweet little doll! My daughter was all about the "blue" princess dress too when she was that age! Cherish those moments, my friend. Cherish those moments …
🙂 Linda
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/375789109001740288
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I encourage my son by constantly telling him that he can do whatever he wants if he works hard and follows his passions.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Our only advice to our son was to be happy in what he wanted to do in life…Life is too short to be unhappy…and whatever direction he decided to take his life in…we were there to be his biggest supporters….and we still are…I know that you and your hubby are the greatest of parents…as your children are so very happy!
I have always encouraged my kids to try new things by involving them as I have tried new things. Many times they have been my assistants in various endeavors and at other times I have been their assistant.
I have a 2 year old and a newborn so I love telling them stories where someone or something(it's usually a tractor these days) did something that they thought they couldn't do. Hopefully they will take that to heart when they are following their dreams even though it may be hard at times.
My daughter, who just turned 4 a few days ago, loves art and music so I encourage her to be creative and I have her enrolled in ballet class.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I'm so childish that when I watch children movies I'm always fearful of the heroine not having what she wants – and deserves! – of how tough it is and many battles there is to achieve your goal.
My kids from very young age are the ones encouraging me to wait for the end of the movie because all it will be worth ahahahah and I guess that's the best teaching I can give them. To show they can trust more, better than I do. And they do.
She's precious, Laura. And I hope she finds her Handsome Prince with biggest Heart ever. She deserves. And by this photoshooting she not even has to show skin (hints to Kate 😉 ahahahah). She's growing to be gorgeous and generous as all the Women in your Family are. With so many GodMothers how could she head but for utter Happiness and Success Life?!
Thank you for sharing your Blessings,
Teresa
tweet:
https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/375999172282822657
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I encourage my son by supporting his ideas and teaching him to work hard
elena150980@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/376012690281345024
elena150980@yahoo.com
I have a 2 1/2 year old boy and a 6 month old girl. I encourage my son and when he gets frustrated about something, I tell him to try it again and that it's okay if things don't always go the way you want them to. I praise him when he does something himself and tell him that he's smart and that he's a good boy. My husband and I both agree we want them to try new things in school and get involved in something-it doesn't matter if it's sports, music, art…just that they have those experiences is important. I want them to learn that anything is possible and they can be anything that they want to be.
I encourage my daughter by embracing her talents. She loves to dance so I put her in dance class and gymnastics and she is having a blast!
amypugmire@live.com
tweet. amypugmire@live.com
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/376106184563908608
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by helping them learn about their interests. We often visit the library, watch youtube videos, etc about whatever they are fascinated with. Sometimes their interests are short lived and sometimes they are long term but either way they know their parents are interested and supportive. Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/MrsMChappell/status/376171078974181376
Tweet
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
How darling! I encourage my children to follow their dreams by emphasizing that everyone is unique, and we should embrace our difference and do the things we love to do regardless of what other people think. 🙂
aprilgilbertson(at)gmail(dot)com
By making them believe they are capable of everything and anything!
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/376427897612812290
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
I always tell my children to be the best they can be and I encourage them to try new things and that they can do whatever they put their minds to.
s2s2 at Comcast dot net
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/376446804025307136
s2s2 at Comcast dot net
My daughter loves animals so I encouraged her by teaming up with her to volunteer at the local shelter.
madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/376519460049276928
By not forcing them into the boxes I've constructed — they're individuals!
Our children are very young still but we encourage them to find their own voices through play, imagination and most importantly through showing love. My younger son has such a sense of freedom to be himself that he breaks into dance wherever he is! We want them to know they can be anything they want to be if they work hard enough and follow their dreams.
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/377139625929625601
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Now that my son is older,he sometimes ask for my advice,even though he doesn't like it sometimes!LOL!!I still let him know,to go for it!
tamilynn59@yahoo.com
I encourage kids to go for their dreams and passions by supporting their ideas.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/377279400665808896
Delightful post! I love Disney!! We were frequent visitors there when my daughter was growing up. I encouraged her to follow her dreams by exposing her to everything I could. We didn't have a lot of money, but we sure had a lot of fun adventures and learning experiences. As a single mom on a very tight shoestring, my hope was to lead by example and show her that 'the world was her oyster'!
I encourage them to meet many different children and try many activities, be socialized for the real world
tina19820115@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/378243964651859968
tina19820115@gmail.com
Laura, this little princess is adorable. What a smile!
I never tell my daughter something she wants to do is impossible. And she's smart enough that I don't believe anything is anyway. 🙂
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Your little princess is very pretty and will one day find her prince. I always say encouraging and always speaking positive words. It's so important to let them know nothing is impossible.
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/381895884151070720
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
lots of praise for trying
She is adorable…yes, I'm sure there are princes out there don't mind the dirty feet! 🙂
I always encourage my kids that don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They can always learn from that and never gives up in what they’re passionate about and their dream will come true one day!
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/383289275283820544
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I just make sure my kids know that I will help them in any way to pursue what their dreams are.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/384842663427461120
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
by being supportive and encouraging them in their activities
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
i posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/385562859213574146
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
we encourage them to follow them, support them when they do and help them up when they get discouraged
by reading him encouraging stories! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/386326110415237120 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
By being a good listener and know what they really dream about
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/386913696238166016
I don't have kids, but I encourage my niece by telling her how smart and beautiful she is and that she can do anything she sets her mind to.
austma7@aol.com
By being supportive of their likes and dreams and providing them the path to follow them in.
I encourage them to try something at least once and pray to God about it.
I give a ton of encouragement and also impose limitations so that they are at least on a good path.
tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com
By encouraging them to follow their dreams.
I try to support my child in whatever she dreams by providing encouragement, and any help that I can. We also talk often about how hard work is what makes dream come true.
I encourage my kids through love and support. I help them achieve their goals through guidance and always have their back 100%
https://twitter.com/RamblingRed78/status/387043677987553281
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by supporting their ideas and the things they want to do. We work together to find a way to make the things happen that they want. At the same time, we instill realistic limits. We can't fly into today, but if we study hard and work at it, we can get into NASA in the future and fly to space then 🙂 You can have what you want, you just have to find a way to make it happen 🙂
anastasia2013@gmail.com
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/387138987640356864
anastasia2013@gmail.com
I always show them how their dreams are not impossible if you continue to believe and work hard!! ky_grandma40@yahoo.com
I always remind my daughter to believe in herself and then anything is possible!
By letting them know that whatever they decide to do, they will be supported and loved.
I encourage them to follow their dreams by signing them up for activities they are interested in, and letting them know they can pursue anything they want to
stigay at Comcast.net
I always told my children when they were younger to follow their dreams.
Lead them by the example you set for yourself
I encourage them by setting the example.
I let my kids try new activities they are interested in, and encourage them to try their best.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/387540997590114305
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
I try to encourage my daughter to follow her dreams by setting an example. Thanks for the giveaway!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/BigsyBlimpers/status/387700160601419776
I start encouraging the kids at a young age to try new things.
And I tell them that all things are possible.
Thank you.
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/387779341326635009
I encourage my children to follow their dreams by showing them love and support. 🙂
HilLesha@gmail.com
I encourage their interests and tell them they can do anything they set their minds to.
I encourage my sons to listen to their hearts and to be a leader, not follow the crowd
By encouraging her not to be afraid to try new things
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/388343767528255488
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I support them, encourage their creativity, and try to give them the best tools that they need to follow their dreams and interest.
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
ps. I'm married to a prince and he doesn't mind that his princess hate shoes even outside 🙂
I tell them if they want it then they can do it.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com
I don't have kids, but my parents encouraged and applauded my interests. And as an adult I did indeed follow my dreams.
My daughter love dinosaurs and dragons. She wants to be a paleontologist when she 'grows up.' I encourage her as much as possible. We recently brought her to dinosaur world and she now pretends to be the guide who educated us on the tour. Whenever she is discouraged about school work I remind her that if she cannot read or preform math then she will not be able to account for new spices or measure bones!
halliekaye at gmail
tweeeeeeeeeeet
https://twitter.com/Halliekaypee/status/388584465204654080
I tell my kids they can do anything they put their minds to tanya2330@gmail.com
By allowing them to explore and discover life on their own.
jannajanna@hotmail.com
I encourage them to give everything a try once and if they like it then we stick with it and try to help them reach their goal or dream.
Yes,he'll like her
and encouragement by providing lots of opportunities to see and try new things 🙂
I always tell my kids they can be whatever they want to be, even a doctor, astronaut, lawyer all in one.
njharmonyg@aol.com
tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/389353407376408576
njharmonyg@aol.com
I always make sure I ask lots of questions to encourage her inquisitiveness
I've always been her biggest cheerleader and support her in her endeavors.
I encourage them to persue their dreams
I encourage her to follow her interests, she knows she can do anything she wants to through hard work. And anything that is truely something you want is worth it. I support her in anything and everything.
My 25 yo daughter's first- and favorite!- disney movie. We watch it twice a year to remember her childhood and the message that you can be your own person despite what your parents want!
I encourage our children to try new things so they have the opportunity to discover what they really love.
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
i tell my daughter she can be anything she wants to be
JOE GERSCH JTWARK@MAIL.com
I encourage my grandkids by giving them unconditional love and being supportive in everything they do.
I encourage them to try something and by supporting them
I make sure both my kids know that we support them in life, no matter what, they will always have cheerleaders from me and my husband.
we hope that by homeschooling our kids, they will be more encouraged to follow their own dreams pryfamily5@gmail.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/389821070561128448 pryfamily5@gmail.com
I encourage my children to follow their dreams by supporting them in all their in school and after school activities and helping suggest new activities to inspire them.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/389842369840812033
I encourage my sons to follow their dreams by reminding them of all they have already accomplished. I keep their confidence levels high by praising them, their efforts, and their ideas and showing them they are loved unconditionally 🙂
crystalmethod54751@gmail.com
I may not always agree with the choices my children make, but no matter what, I support them and they know they can always count on me to be their cheerleader!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com
To encourage my son I tell him he can do anything he puts his mind and heart too.
https://twitter.com/AliciaJennette/status/389922025810063361
i just stand behind them- an anchor helps u feel safer to try new things
4mariemh atgmaildotcom
I tell them to never give up no matter how tough it gets, and that I will always be there.
motioncitycutie(at)aol(dot)com
I currently have no children, although I very much hope that we will be blessed soon. In the mean time, I'm in school to become a teacher and plan to encourage my students to follow their dreams… I will encourage them to work on their weaknesses nicely and will definitely support them in their strengths and encourage them to truly grow within these strengths.
I try to encourage my boys through example. I always try to show them that the only thing that can hold them back is their own imagination. If they believe in something than their is always a way to make it happen they just have to want it enough to make that dream come true.
Self-sufficiency is important to us. While we certainly provide encouragement and support, letting the child direct their attention and interest (at least for big thinking and dreaming) is import to us so they can find if they really have a strong interest in a topic or dream.
I have always encouraged our children to dream big and reach for the stars. When they find something they like we all focus our attention on it as to help them follow their dreams!
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
I think you have to know when to keep your mouth shut and when to offer a warning based on reality and not fear or bias. Support all their dreams, even if they don't make you happy, as long as they are based in reality and safe. Your kids need to know they can tell you anything and not be judged.
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/390145858861137920
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
We encourage our daughter by showing an interest in her activities. We encourage her to explore and find things she is interested in.
I like to share stories of inspirational people with them. Ones who have succeeded against any obstacles to live their dreams. I let them know that even someone who is the best at what they do, was not great at first try. I expose them to as many activities as possible, and make sure they give them a good try. Yet, if their heart isn’t in it- I don’t push. I make sure they don’t feel they have failed. That everyone is different, and valuable, in their own way.
fatesfrost@gmail.com
Tweet-
https://twitter.com/maxfate/status/390162974486183936
fatesfrost@gmail.com
I encourage them to go for what they believe in
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/390171299118456832
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/390176548038262784
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I plan on unschooling, letting them learn what they like and focus on their passions instead of forcing them to do things they aren't interested in
I tell my kids to do whatever makes them happy.
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
I like helping them out in their pursuit, whether is signing them up for classes/sports or simply spending time honing their skills. lexbaylor27 at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/390194784192589824
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/lexbaylor27/status/390194569624580096
lexbaylor27 at gmail dot com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/bargainelf/statuses/390219545723432960
I encourage my boys to follow their hearts and try to achieve their dreams. I let them know it’s okay to fail sometimes, because the only true failure is to never have tried.
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/390221933297422336
I don't have children but I find that keeping a positive attitude helps
wlbellows at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/390258496425316352
wlbellows at gmail dot com
I let them know anything is possible if they believe in it and that I believe in them and will always be behind them.
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/390289080962924544
I teach them and support them.
I encourage her to join and participate in different clubs and events. And I praise her for the good work.