Parents Are The #1 Dream Killers!

“Parents are the #1 dream killers!” I heard someone say this and I was blown away. I thought to myself that is a ridiculous and harsh statement. Why would parents want to kill their kids’ dreams? It doesn’t make sense. Then I began to think about what “dreaming” really means to the average person.

The average person will tell their child that life is about surviving and doing what you need to do to pay your bills, eat and maybe enjoy some simple pleasures in life. The average person may think to themselves at age 5–I wanna be a doctor, actress, astronaut but doesn’t truly see this as attainable. To the average person, dreaming about what could be or what you could have is simply living in a fantasy world. The average person probably grew up in a household where their creativeness and wide-eyed thinking was frowned upon and dismissed without a second thought. Instead, rhey were told to go to college or get a good paying job and stay there until you die if you can. Is that really our parenting goal, to raise an average person?

So, don’t get offended and hold your mouth open when someone calls you a dream killer if you’re a parent. Of course you may not have a problem with “entertaining” art classes or sports here and there but with the understanding that this is truly just to learn social and leadership skills–if you’re being truthful! Sure you don’t mean any harm and you just want the best for your child you say. But what if the best for your child is to allow them to explore their true creative nature. What if your dream killing is preventing the next star or genius to be born? Are you ok with that?

I have a creative child who loves acting, dancing and theater and wants to make a career put of it. So, I understand the concern with making sure they have a good life and keep their options open. But I also had an opportunity to go after what I wanted in life and they should have the same opportunities.

As a parent, I am preparing them for life and to make good sound decisions and the importance of not putting all of your eggs in one bag but to also follow your heart and your dreams. I encourage you to do the same and don’t kill your kids dreams just because you CHOSE not to follow yours! The Arts is dying a little more every generation so we have to make sure we allow our kids to sing, dance, make noisy music, act, write so they can find their passion and purpose.

Sheema 💜