Happy New Year! Another January is upon us and we are all set to make this the best year ever!

Except we’re not, of course, no – that would be foolish. Instead we are going to make this year our most joyful and successful year on purpose! What does that mean? Let me explain.

Each and every one of us has a purpose – a thing if you will that is unique to us – and one of the best parts about becoming parents is that we get to raise our children according to our thing, our purpose. This is how we all grow up different, unique and play our part in the world.

Be as ‘you’ as you can be
If we forget school, jobs and have- to’s for just a minute, imagine if the real point of living was to become as ‘you’ as you can be and to pass on that incredible ‘you-ness’ to your children. That’s it! Your life purpose fulfilled!

How happy would that make you? Add in your partner’s unique purpose and maybe a smattering of other influential people, and you have a one of a kind being who will grow up into the world having lived a unique life, had unique experiences and learned valuable lessons which then lead to them realising their purpose and gifting that down in their turn.

Looked at in this way, the art of parenting is to be as you as you can; to find a way to be joyful and happy every day, to find balance and ease and pass on your own ‘secret sauce’ to your children.

Personally I love stories, so reading and telling stories, and playing imaginative games were all part of my parenting. Others love science so impart their passion for science to their children. If you are musical you will play your instrument, sing your songs and undoubtedly pass this on to them via osmosis.

In recent years, parenting has turned into something of a competition or a race to create the best child, the brightest, the most accomplished, and as a result those kids who struggle in any area can feel not good enough and left out.

If we use ‘life purpose’ as a standard then no matter who your child is or how ‘different’ their life may be, they are uniquely valuable because they are living for themselves and bringing their uniqueness to the world.

Value all individuals for who they really are
Children who are physically challenged teach us about resilience and tenacity. Children who have social struggles show us the power of being introverted, how to laser focus and be self fulfilled. Maybe those children with ADHD remind us that kids are not made to sit still and be quiet.

If we consider our children as teachers rather than empty vessels to be filled, then we will learn to value all individuals for who they really are and at the same time find true pleasure in raising the incredible humans our children are born to be, no matter what shape or style of human they become. Their innate uniqueness is the gift they were born to share, and our role as parents is to free them up to share that gift. Happy New Year!