Create Your Parenting Vision

When I was about eight years old, I sat in my sister’s Jr. High School auditorium and watched as she and her friends performed in front of hundreds of captivated audience members.

 

I remember imagining myself on stage and thinking, “Some day, that’ll be me up there.”

 

Fast-forward to the summer before my ninth grade year. I enrolled in my school’s summer musical theater program, and auditioned for the leading role of Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow. Holding that vision in my mind of being on stage singing and dancing in front of a packed auditorium was, I believe, one of the reasons I got the role. I knew what I wanted and I actually visualized it in my mind.

 

Many of us have a vague idea about our short and long-term visions for ourselves as parents, but we don’t think about them too often. Day-to-day responsibilities and other events distract us and pull us off-track.

 

Several years ago when The Secret (a DVD about the Law of Attraction) became popular, vision boards became super trendy. The Law of Attraction — if you’re not familiar — states that what you focus on expands. Whatever you give your attention to, whether it’s positive or negative, you attract into your life. A vision board is basically a collage of inspirational images, words, and phrases that visually represents what you want to attract into your life. It is strategically placed where you can regularly see it and be reminded of your desires, dreams, and goals.

 

So, last week my girls were off school and they both wanted to do something arts-and-craftsy. I announced, “I have just the thing!”

 

I had been wanting to make myself a vision board for a while, but never got around to doing it. I explained the concept to them, got all the supplies (magazines, poster board, scissors, and glue) and we all got to work on our own projects. I gave them the option of making a family vision board for family goals and dreams, but they chose to go the individual route instead.

 

 

Both girls were incredibly focused for an entire THREE hours doing this. They loved it!

 

If doing this with your kids, you could spend some time before-hand asking them questions about their ideas for the future. This makes it easier for them to look for specific pictures or words in the magazines, and it’s a great way to open up communication about so many topics.

 

So after three hours, here’s what we ended up with:

 

 

 

 

My challenge for you: Set aside a few hours one night or on the weekend. Think about the kind of parent you want to be now and in the future. What are the characteristics you want to develop in yourself? What are the experiences you want to have and/or the places you’d like to go? Put on some relaxing music and start flipping and clipping through your magazines. Create a vision board that will help you focus on what’s important to you as you go forward on your parenting journey.

 

Extra credit: Once you’re done, share it with us on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #myparentingvision and tag @lessdramamama. I can’t wait to see what you create!

 

In the comments below, tell me: Have you ever made a vision board? What was the experience like and what were the results?

 

Wanna work with me 1:1? Check out my private coaching services. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and “like” it on Facebook. And for even more great tips on becoming a calm and connected parent (delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday), please subscribe to this blog.