Generation 'Y' Legacy: a Parent's Perspective
There is a blog post about the ‘unhappy’ Generation Y that being viral in my Facebook timeline. Being part of that generation, I’d say it is relevant.
It’s not surprising though that the author brings issue of parenting early in the articles. And the analysis is quite legit. Some might even think simply to blame the parents. After all, it was their fault right?
Bull.
Neither you and I have the right to do so. No doubt our parents wanted just the best for us. And in the end, their parenting style was greatly influenced by the time, culture and place they lived in.
Nevertheless, I do say that it is quite legit.
Meanwhile, some of us have already started a family and even having children. If we are so disappointed with our life, what kind of legacy are we giving to them then? Are we going to raise them disappointed as well again?
The author in the last paragraph gives an interesting recommendation for us:
- Stay wildly Ambitious
- Stop thinking that you’re special
- Ignore everyone else
As a parent, I humbly disagree with those. Perhaps it works well for us alone, but it would not be sufficient for raising a gentleman or lady.
a Parent’s Perspective
Jim Collins in his book “Good to Great” wrote that every enduring entity, whether it’s a company or a family, has this duality in them, which is ‘preserve the core/stimulate progress.’
On the one hand, it is based on a set of core values. Those values are long lasting, and they provide a glue that transcends time and geography.
“And on the flip side,” he continued, “while preserving that core, the entity is always struggling to evolve and remain relevant. That’s what ‘stimulate progress’ is all about. It’s a way of adapting your daily practices to make sure you’re successful in the moment.”
With this in mind, I would suggest a modified version of the recommendation above.
- Give children a sense of Purpose If the parents are busy discussing bills or jealousy toward neighbour’s new luxury car, then surely the children will grow up see it as important.
Instead, decide your family values, and talk about it. Or even make it a poster in the family room. Make it fun, children learn the best when they play 🙂
Tell them also that they have a mission in life, and that it is unique—it is what makes them special. And we as the parent will support them for whatever good cause they want to pursue.
2. Tell them your ‘Roller-Coaster’ life story Disappointment comes from being delusional that there are shortcuts for every dream. The fact is, there are none.
So tell your children your failure story along the successful one. Make sure to be passionate for both of them so that they would not see failure as a final fact of life.
It would surely teach them how to adapt in life and be grateful instead of whining.
- Look at the other end of Spectrum Speaking about gratefulness, the world does not consist of green lawn alone, there are way more desert than we want to see.
So take them to a charity event. Buy extra clothes and ask them to give it to the needy. Teach them of the concept of abundance.
In a long run, this would help them develop the eye that spot problems… And solve them. Thus, give them better chance surviving the competitive world ahead.
All in all, what is the core concept of parenting? Role Modelling. Thus, it comes back to us. These 3 lists are for me and you, not them. I personally hope by doing this I can change my mindset of my own life. And hopefully, affect my child.
It is hard. I know. We were used to judge the standard of one’s life through the cover. But if we don’t try, no one else will. Will you?
