“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

When our son Bill was four or five, he carried around a wrench and pushed around a big yellow Tonka truck. He greatly admired the man that came to pump the septic tank – that big truck, the hoses and wrench, and oh, yes, the gloves!!! He almost never played in his room. Dan, our second son, carried a toy cell phone around, loved the intricacies of anything miniature and has always found his room to be a sanctuary that was his space alone. Each is developing into a fine young man that we are proud of and we celebrate their differences. But much more important than what these boys will do as an occupation is who they will be as men.

I have seen men who have lost their jobs in mid-life and are thrown entirely into a tailspin because their only identity was in what they did. Very little of their identity was found in who they were as an individual.

In our changing society, job security is almost extinct. Young people can plan to train more than once for careers that are also shifting as fast as our technological advances. Stability is no longer found in what we do, or where we live. It must be found in who we are; otherwise we are in danger of being crushed by the changes taking place all around us.

So how does a parent equip a child for a world that is fast evolving, and a society that is eroding, changing and growing all at the same time? I look back over the years as our three children have matured and grown. As we have pondered that question ourselves, I see one very important underlying principle.

Teach them to live a life of significance!

Just what does that mean? First of all, let’s look at what it doesn’t mean. Today, in our society’s desperate quest for self esteem, we sometimes buy into the false Barbie doll philosophy that beauty and possessions are our score cards and our significance is measured by that. We couldn’t be more wrong. One look at the evening news shows us the lives of people who have been stripped of possessions and even, beauty. Regularly we hear of people around the world who have lost everything material and many have been hurt or maimed in fierce circumstances. Some will be left only with what they are as individuals. No flash flood or earthquake can wash away their love, courage, intelligence, compassion, ingenuity or faith. These are the things that are on the inside. These are the things that make one’s life significant.

To help your child understand he/she is a significant person and can live a life of significance, here are a few things you can do. You will come up with many others as you think about significance coming from being as opposed to doing.

• Introduce him/her to others using his/her name and demonstrating that this child matters

• Give him/her chores that he/she is capable of and truly appreciate the help and effort put forth.

• Let your child speak for him/her self.

• As your child grows older, ask for your child’s opinions in things that affect the family and show appreciation for their ideas. Children have amazing insights when we truly listen.

• Spend one-on-one time with your child. Even 10 minutes invested with direct eye contact and real listening will make a difference. If your child knows he matters, it will dramatically impact his actions.

• Trust your child and let him/her know you do.

• As they get older, support children in their ideas as much as possible. Dialogue more and demand/command less.

• Commend character qualities such as compassion, courage, kindness and caring.

• When your child behaves in a way you disapprove of let him/her know “that’s not like you” and thus help break patterns of negative behavior.

• Teach them to help others – unsolicited and without expectation of compensation.

• Let your child know God loves him/her.

Letting children know they have significance as a person builds courage in them to tackle the world and go after what they want. Strength of character anchors them through life and its changes as no outer accomplishment can.