Growing Human Potential

I recently heard parenting defined as the art of growing human potential.

I think it’s a beautiful definition.

And it’s pretty intimidating. In the midst of a two-year-old exploring his growing independence, a feisty and precocious five-year-old, and all the demands of daily life, I’m not sure I’m up to growing human potential.

But whether I feel ready or not, that is the job we parents have. When we do it well, we help our children learn both boundaries and a sense of confidence in their ability to control their world.

I hope I do it well.

When I think about my job as “growing human potential,” it reminds me to be more mindful of what I really hope my children learn from me.

Yes, I want them to learn to put away their toys, use their manners, and to not torture one another. But more importantly, I want them to learn to be good people.

I hope they learn – by my words, but more so by my actions – to value and respect all people, even those with whom they disagree, even those whom they dislike.

I hope I teach my children to solve problems and to negotiate the complexity of human relationships.

I hope I give them a foundation of values and security while also giving them the self-confidence and critical thinking skills to learn to make up their own minds.

I hope I nurture their souls so they have the opportunity and the courage to find the things in life that bring them joy, that inspire them. (And I hope I get out of their way and let them follow those things – even if I don’t always understand them.)

But most importantly, I hope I teach them that success in life – real, long-lasting success – is not about what you are, but rather about who you are.

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