The Blonde Lab

by Lindsay Baltimore

By

My Parenting Style and Disney Planes

“I want to wear a fancy dress today Mommy… I’m pretty that way”.

“You are pretty no matter what you wear, but today we are going to the splash pad so why don’t you wear your bathing suit and some shorts”?

She opposed. And my sensitive 3 1/2 year old breaks out in tears.

We end up compromising on a sundress. I met her half way.

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I wake up each day and seem to grow into my role as a parent a little bit more. And while I am constantly perfecting things and tweaking my technique a tad, one thing remains the same. I want to raise a leader. I want to raise the girl that paves the road and sets the trends. The one that isn’t afraid to speak up for what she believes in. The one that always holds her head high. And while Landyn is still little, I have found this to be a common theme in my parenting.

While a part of me wanted to encourage her sense of individualism and let her wear her black lace dress that did not suit the day’s events whatsoever, the other part of me knew she needed guidance. I want her opinion to be validated and her true colors to always shine, but I also know her 3 year old self isn’t always the most sensible and she constantly needs direction. Every day we are molding our children into leaders by fostering what makes them uniquely them. Some of the best leaders? I guarantee were molded on a foundation of guidance.

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Sometimes it takes us watching, reading, or listening to something for a chord to be sparked. For our own approach to be fine-tuned. I recently got the opportunity to team up with BlogHer and Disney and viewed Disney’s new trailer for “Planes,” their new movie coming to theaters August 9. I got to learn about the different characters in this new film and the unique attributes each one brought to the table. It really got me thinking about my own parenting technique and reminded me that there is no right or wrong way to parent. We all have different approaches but the end result is usually teaching our children how to reach their dreams and have courage. I really found myself relating to the character “Chug” when it comes to my parenting style. He’s your biggest fan. He strives for greatness while having a big and lovable, sometimes soft heart. Like “Chug”, I will always support my children’s dreams and teach them the tools to carry along the way. I will be their guide until they have the ability to spread their wings with courage and take flight. I love how Disney not only teaches our children valuable lessons, but they put things in perspective for the parents as well.

For the chance to win a $100 Fandango Gift Card, leave a comment answering the question, “How do you challenge your children to follow their dreams?”

 

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the 
following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/15 – 8/12.
Be sure to visit the Disney Planes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. My son is only two but I encourage him to follow his dreams by helping him become the person he is supposed to be and by saying yes more than I say no! If he wants to be wild, if he wants to wear a silly hat with his outfit each day, if he wants to sword fight half the day away, I let him. I know that he is already creative and a little individual and I want to honor that and show him that I will support all his dreams big or small!

    Reply

  5. I encourage my children to follow their passions for art and music. My 8 year old is a budding artist, my 10 year old plays guitar and drums, and my 3 year old daughter takes ballet. I applaud their accomplishments and motivate them to keep doing their best.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    Reply

  7. I try to encourage my son to try new things. When he is leery about trying something, I will try it to show him!
    reklaw422 at Hotmail dot com

    Reply

  9. I remind my kids that they can do anything they want and that God made everybody with a purpose.
    lazybones344 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  12. I try to involve my kids in sports or activities that interest them. I also practice with them and encourage them to try their best to achieve their goals.

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  17. My kids have many interests and I keep them interested by keeping them involved. For example, my son has a huge fascination with computers, so I set him up with a summer programming camp at our local university!

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  19. I encourage by showing that I support them in their dreams. I will give lessons, encourage practice and applaud their efforts.

    Reply

  23. We don’t have children but my parents encouraged my brother and me by telling us we could accomplish anything we set our mind to, and all we risked was our egos. And if we failed, we would learn something from that failure.

    Reply

  24. I take the time to listen to my son when he talks about his dreams and passions, even though he is just 7 years old. Even though some may not make sense, I encourage him, and remember that these are his dreams. 🙂

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  25. I have no kids. I would let me just play and learn about interacting with others in sport and fun

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  27. I encourage my daughter to try new things–types of sports or activities and when I see she is really interested in something I push her to do the best she can at it and constantly be supportive of her in any decision she makes!

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  29. By teaching them right and wrong — and letting them figure out what they love!

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  30. I have two nieces and I don’t try to encourage them the way a parent would. However, I do try to inspire them and open them up to new interests by taking them on day trips to local museums, concerts, and storytelling events at the library. We participate in arts and crafts classes once a month and bake together. I spend every Saturday morning and afternoon with them while my brother and his wife work so we try to make it a fun experience and I always applaud their efforts! Hopefully they feel comfortable enough to get excited over trying new things at other times! 🙂

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  32. I encourage them by doing things with them to help enrich their world, and by taking them places to experience new things! I also sign them up for classes to help them find new gifts and talents!

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  34. I challenge them by giving them steps to follow in order to reach their goals They want to go to the anime convention, then first they have to do chores to earn the money to get there! It’s not just about giving them work to do though It’s also about supporting and encouraging them and helping them find ways to get to where they want to go 🙂

    Reply

  36. I encourage my daughter to keep trying even when she thinks it’s too difficult to go on. I let her know anything that is truely important to her is worth fighting for to press on.

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  38. I encourage and support them to experience all they like, enjoy the process of trial and error. It was not always pleasant and smooth, however I do believe you got to give them chances to grow.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  40. I tell them I’m proud of them. Encourage them to spend their time doing things at which they feel competent and valued

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  42. i think the key is to have them try many things, whether it’s in the arts, sports, or intellectual pursuits, and see what they spark to or are good at–even if it’s not necessarily what you desire. it’s best that they find something that they’re passionate about, not what they feel pushed into doing!

    kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  48. I let them make choices but I remember they were give 2 parents for a reason. Their brains are not fully developed as ours are.

    Reply

  50. tell them to work hard, and to never give up and don’t listen to what anyone says.

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  51. We encourage them to try new, things, believe in themselves and to hold fast to their dreams

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  52. I give my daughter the freedom to try things in a different way and use her imagination.

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  53. My kids are older, so the encouragement frequently consists of being a sounding board as they think out pros and cons, ins and outs of different things. I sometimes point out things they don’t seem to have considered, but it is pretty self-directed by now.

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  54. I sit with my kids once a month to make a schedule, and I love when they have tons of feedback! IT’s something to look forward to every month, even if it is as small as a trip to the library or learning a new sport!
    I also show my kids that hard work pays off, my husband and I are in the process of opening our own business, so the kids really see how things can happen if you really try!

    Reply

  57. I encourage my kids by being their biggest and loudest cheerleader! I always let them know that anything can be accomplished if you work hard enough at it and I support them every step of the way!!
    Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

    Reply

  59. I encourage my children to follow their dreams by giving them options and a little independence to set personal goals for themselves to achieve whether it be daily, weekly, monthly or occasionally. I engage with them in imaginative play and encourage them to get positive results in all they do.

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  64. We give them small tasks that they can complete so they feel confident.
    ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  65. i do not have kids but i live when my nephew learn somehing new and trying to find his way in the world

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  69. My children are adults now but I always tried to find ways to let them achieve small steps on the way to a big goal.

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  70. I encourage them to tell me anything. And when they do, I never ever talk them down.

    jbodawg at outlook dot com

    Reply

  72. I challenge my kids by explaining the benefits of working hard and keeping at their dreams until they come true.

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  73. I encourage them to overcome their fears, celebrate their successes & walk with them through their failures

    Reply

  74. I encourage my children to achieve their goals by supporting them and by encouraging creativity and confidence

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  75. I encourage our kids to reach for their goals by asking them how they are doing, what they want to do and how they plan to do it!

    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    Reply

  76. I don’t have kids but if I did I would encourage them to be themselves, try new things, work hard and no matter what I will always be proud of them,

    Reply

  77. By encouraging them to follow their dreams, try different things and to challenge themselves

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  80. I make sure all three of them know how important, special and unique they are. I also encourage them with lots of positives.

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  83. I always tell them to believe in themselves and that you wont know if you like something or not unless you try it!
    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

    Reply

  85. I tell my kids they can be anything they want if they put the hard work in.

    Reply

  91. I encourage him to try new things and expose him to many new things – granted he’s only 8 months, but new book, new toys, new textures, rain on his skin, puddles after the warm summer storms, sandy beaches etc
    You never know what you’ll want to be or do in life until you know what’s out there!

    Reply

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