Written by Marilyn Morris, Founder/President of Aim For Success

Last spring, while working in my yard, I suddenly found myself being attacked by two birds. There was no mistake. These crazy birds were aiming directly for me. After two or three close encounters, I backed away to evaluate the situation. Then I saw what had ruffled their feathers - a baby bird on the ground inches away from where I was about to plant my next begonia. Obviously, I had interrupted Junior's flying lessons and the parents were determined to get me out of the way.  I immediately retreated into the house to allow this family the necessary time and space to proceed with the matters at hand.
 
Later, when I returned to planting my flowers, I began to think about what I had witnessed. The mother and father birds weren't just teaching their child to fly . . . They were preparing him to leave home. Make no mistake about it - these parents were willing to go to any extreme to protect their child from outsiders, and the baby bird witnessed firsthand that his parents would go to any extreme to protect him.

The new school year has started and the time for you to let go and watch your children fly away is growing closer by the day. But between now and then is your opportunity to prepare your children for that inevitable day when they will spread their wings and fly away. The question is - are you making the most of the opportunities at hand and are you willing to go to any extreme to protect your children from outsiders who might want to undo the values you have worked so hard to instill?

Consider the following:

Dream with your children about a bright future. A young person with big dreams is a young person with a passion for life. Allow your children the flexibility to change their dreams from one day to another. Remember, this is their future - not yours. Provide guidance without squelching their dreams.  Be your child's biggest cheerleader! Let laughter ring throughout your home.
Be ever present in your children's lives while providing the necessary space for them to gain their independence. Never rush to their side to fix their blunders, but allow them to learn from their mistakes and how to correct a wrong.  

Establish boundaries that protect: reasonable curfews, clothes that send appropriate messages and specific limits to how far is too far.
Instill your family values including: your religious beliefs, use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and sex. Talk about these issues often and provide logical explanations as to why they are important, so your children eventually claim them as their own personal values.

 

Warn your sons about girls who are starved for love and are quick to seduce a young man so she can feel special. Likewise, warn your daughters about guys who will say or do absolutely anything for sex. Let your children know that even innocent friendships can quickly turn sexual. Sex, whether it's a one-night-stand or a serious relationship, with or without protection, can lead to a pregnancy, STDs, lifelong regrets and destroyed dreams and goals. Don't be afraid to set your standards high and challenge your sons and daughters to a lifestyle of sexual abstinence until marriage. Abstinence is also the best answer to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Inform your children that you plan to loosen the reigns and provide more and more freedom throughout the teenage years, so that once they leave home to start their own lives, they're ready to face the world. But advise them of the obvious warning signs you will be watching for indicating danger is lurking. Just as the mother and father birds wasted no time in intervening when they thought their baby was in danger, remind your children that if you suspect they are veering away from their dreams and family values you will waste no time in discussing your concerns and taking appropriate action.  

Warning Signs to Watch for:

• Losing interest in family and close friends
• Losing interest in activities and responsibilities that were once important (grades, sports, job, dreams, etc.)
• Lying, cheating, stealing, breaking curfew
• Acquiring new friends that don't hold your family values
  

    

A Million Dollar Mistake