Growing up, I remember driving down the road with my dad.  We were passing an old abandoned building, and he started to dream about the ways he could use that empty space. I was challenged from the very beginning to think BIG, and not let anyone else tell me I can’t do anything. Although my dad was not an entrepreneur, he always dreamt about what he could do next. He was never ‘stuck’ in his circumstance, but always thought about the next amazing thing he could do. I share this story with you because this sponsored post is going to talk all about how to teach your kids to dream BIG!

As a mom, I am always walking the fine line between encouragement that they can do everything, and also the reality that they might not be very good at everything. Let’s face it, I don’t want to be that mom that encouraged her kids to sing on American Idol and embarrass himself because he has a horrible voice. In my family, one of my kids loves soccer, but they are not very good at it. I have a choice to encourage them to continue to practice to get better or tell them that they suck and they should pick something else. Instead, I gently led this child into a sport that he is better at, allowing for him to feel their own successes.

When it comes to dreaming BIG as a child, they wonder about what they will be when they grow up. My son dreams of being a video game designer, while my daughters dream of being ballerinas. I want to encourage them that they can be whatever they want, but it takes opening up and talking about it.

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to play board games – typically Friday nights are the best time for us to do it. The new GAME OF LIFE game from Hasbro is one of our favorites, and it is only $19.99 at most major retailers! Hasbro sent us a copy of it and we loved it! Since 1960, The GAME OF LIFE has allowed kids to dream about what their life would be like as a grown-up, including their career, college, and marriage. Hasbro recently conducted an online survey in partnership with Wakefield Research of 400 kids (administered via parents) to shed light on several exciting and interesting professional goals of today’s generation of kids. Kids were asked about the “modern” and “traditional” jobs that they would like to have and their top picks are featured as the new Career Cards in the newest version of THE GAME OF LIFE game.  

When we were sitting down and playing last week, we were able to talk to the kids about what they wanted to be when they grow up. We dreamed about what it would be like to be a video game designer, a race care driver, and a ballerina. I remember what it was like to dream as a kid, but so often life hits hard… you realize that your dream is not going to pay the bills, or can it?

Here are some ways that you can help teach your kids to dream about life:

1.) Encourage them to figure out a way to make extra cash.  

You can do this by giving them jobs around the house that above and beyond the normal chores.  Encourage them to set up a lemonade stand at your garage sale. Encourage them to mow lawns, shovel driveways, and do things to help others.

2.) Take them to work WITH you.

I remember going to work with my dad during a “Talk your Child to work day”. That day is on April 23rd this year, and I encourage you to take your child to work with you. Allow them to dream about all that they can be when they grow up.

3.) Encourage them to make their own jobs.

Our nine-year old said the other day – “When I grow up, can’t I just make my own job?” In today’s society with the internet, you can do practically ANYTHING to make money. Mark and I work online full time from home and have grown our businesses to provide for our family and provide a comfortable and loving home.

4.) Surround them with other BIG thinkers.

I can’t wait until our kids are old enough to travel to conferences with us. Mark and I travel a few times per year and hang out with some of the most brilliant people in the world. People who have created amazing companies, and challenge us to dream bigger. THOSE are the people I want to surround my kids with.

5.) Give them a passion project at an early age.

Our friend Eva over at teensgotcents.com is a teenager who was giving a passion project when she was a 16-year old homeschooled student. That project has now launched into a great income stream for her, and as an 18 year old preparing for college, I believe her success has only just begun.

If you don’t know where to start talking about this – go and grab the new game of LIFE and get the conversations started!

Don’t wait too long to talk about it, grab your kids and start the conversation early so that you can get to them before ‘LIFE’ hits (pun intended).

What are some ways that you encourage your kids to DREAM BIG? I would love to hear what you have done!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hasbro THE GAME OF LIFE.