When You Grow Up?

As a teacher, I have asked many students this very question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Year after year, class after class, the answers are the same.

• Girls say: Teacher or Mommy
• Boys say: Preacher or President of the USA

Of course there are others answers peppered throughout. They can say anything they want as the answer. Even so, they still seem to migrate toward these answers.

You might say, "Kids are each so different, why do they give the same answers?" I in fact am not surprised by the kids answers. Myself included, had the same answers as a kid, and even as an adult. The reason being...

Who do we look up to?

In the childs eye, their mommy and teacher are the rulers of their world. The main out of home or school experience being as a child, church, leading to the same result. They want to be preachers and teachers because we are their leaders.

This brings me to think about not only the roles but the characteristics of a positive leader. Even though we are flawed, imperfect human beings, we have an obligation to set the best example. Nothing to be taken lightly. I can easily loose my cool at home and forget that my actions today will absolutely impact the decisions my children have in the future. So be careful, little eyes are everywhere and they are taking it all in.