Great Children Do Not Happen By Accident

In the US, nearly 11,000 babies are born each day.  In almost every case, the parents of that newborn have high expectations for their child.  Almost universally, parents dream that their bouncing bundle of joy will someday become a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher, an athlete, or even President (well maybe not President today).  Presidential aspirations aside, despite the other incredible hopes and dreams expecting and new parents have for their children, many parents routinely fail to do the most essential thing – plan for the future they envision.

Don’t Leave Things To Chance

For whatever reason, most parents don’t seem to understand that – childrearing included – few things if any are ever accomplished without a plan.  Raising children who fulfill their potential and/or go on to do amazing things do not happen by accident.

That’s because an accident is a misfortune, a mishap, a disaster.  Children, on the other hand, are a blessing, a godsend, a miracle.  As such, parents are eternally charged with making sure that their biological blessings receive the good fortune that comes from proper planning.

Unlike accidents, children are best served by thinking ahead, working with the end in mind and employing the power of preparation.

Power of Preparation

The power of preparation means knowing first and foremost where you want to go and what you want to do.  In the case of a child, the power of preparation means that if you want your child to be a great citizen, you should begin defining before they are born what you consider to be a great citizen.

If you are a parent, who believes great citizens are polyglots, develop a plan now for your infant to be introduced to multiple languages.  If you are a parent who thinks a great citizen is compassionate, surround your infant with benevolent people today.  And if you are a parent who believes a great citizen is intellectually adept, put a plan in place to start your child’s academic training at birth.

Luck Is Where Preparation Meets Opportunity

Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It is worth noting that the Roman philosopher’s quote makes no mention of accidents.  More often than not, children who are considered successful – those whom we look on with admiration hoping our babies can do similar things – are those who benefitted from proper planning.

Proper planning and the precise execution of those plans prepare the children we esteem for their opportunity when luck arrives.  That’s why if you are a parent who dreams of greatness for your child, you would be wise to start planning now.  Otherwise, the potential for accidents is high, and the forecast is cloudy with a chance of bad luck.

Hopefully, the importance of planning for the envisioned future is now evident.  However, in the unlikely event things are not yet crystal clear, let me end where I began, great children do not happen by accident.

What do you think?  Does your child have a plan for the life you envision?  Or, are you leaving your child’s future to chance and waiting on an accident?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!