Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/487624
32 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2015 family values A sk any farmer or gardener—it is planting season: fields are plowed, soil prepared and seeds dropped. If any of these components are missing, there will be no harvest come fall. I would like to propose that every child needs "dream seeds," implanted in their spirits all along the pathway to adulthood. These seeds prompt vision, goals, achievement steps and eventual successes. Let's follow Robert Louis Stevenson's advice, "Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." Parenthood is a lot of dailyness, hard-work and physical exhaustion. One more "to-do" can easily send the most intentional child- rearers over the edge. Therefore, this is not a "to-do." It's an "as you go." "Dream seeds" are dropped in the course of daily conversation and activities. These are not expectations, responsibilities or pressures added to a child's busy activity list. They are visions of possibilities sown realizing time may alter them, but speaking potential and a realm of possibilities into a child's thoughts. These are encouraging words bolstering young hearts and souls into believing they can achieve and offering things they might consider. Dream BY ELAINE STONE For instance: A BABY/DOLL CAREGIVER: "You are going to be a great mom/dad." A LEGO LOVER: "You could be an architect someday." ONE WHO CARES FOR GRANDMA: "You might work with the elderly when you grow up—a nurse, doctor or physical therapist." A WIELDER OF HANDCUFFS: "You might become an FBI or Secret Service Agent." "Kids who have dreams (goals)—whether sporting or academic or even personal ones—will do better in life than kids with no plan at all," wrote David Machin of humanbean.com. Give children a large plot of land to dream through. "Dream seeds" give tomorrow's adults the opportunity to think beyond their own personal experience. "Dream seeds" have magical qualities, similar to Jack's beanstalk that grew to inconceivable proportions. Children, filled with untapped potential, need to believe that the sky is the limit in order to reach the greatest heights. Plant liberally, water regularly (provide experiences, answer questions, assist in setting goals) and "Dream seeds" will bring forth harvest. Elaine Stone, mother of three, lives in Spotsylvania County. Write: elainestone@juno.com Seeds