Parenting Adults - Trampolines
A typical childhood backyard toy is the trampoline (especially in Australia in the great outdoors). Over the years the design of the trampoline has changed, however the magnetism and joy from this piece of play equipment has lasted for decades.
What memories come to mind when you think of the trampoline? Perhaps as a child you remember hours of outside entertainment with siblings or neighbours. Maybe accompanied with a broken arm or two! Or maybe your memory rests in watching your own kids (and their friends) expending that necessary energy in the afternoon before crazy time.
Fun is definitely something that is experienced on the trampoline. So too, parenting your adult can be fun. For that matter relationships between parents and children (of all ages) can and should include fun. This point is significant and should not be underestimated as valuable to your success in parenting adults.
If you ask my family, they would say that I am the least fun person in the family. Their definition of fun includes adventure, thrill, competition and quite often money. Although it sounds terrible, the times when I laugh the loudest is usually from someone doing something awkward like falling over. Having said that I am learning that fun doesn’t have to be full of energy or even include laughter. Fun can simply be enjoyment. And from my experience it usually happens when accompanied by another person. Perhaps this is one of the secret ingredients to fun in the family – beginning with hanging out together.
Trampolines are not only fun but also serve as a vehicle of motion. A rhythm of release and return. Releasing your child is not easy. What will they do without me? Will they be ok? Will I be ok? But in the wonderful circle of life it is necessary. The beauty of family is that the release does not need to be final. Just like as seen on a trampoline, the jumper returns to the mat.
I am a mum who truly believes that my children will achieve far greater than me. This statement is not said lightly because I believe that I still have much to accomplish myself. I am expecting great things from each of my children. Not for my sake, to make me feel like I’ve achieved well as a mother. But for their sake (and more specifically for God’s sake) in order for them to fully embrace who they are created to be. One of our roles as a parent is to propel our children upwards in order for them to realise their dreams. Again using the illustration of the trampoline, I desire to see my children jump as high as possible in order to reach their full potential.
Time to reflect:
How does your family have fun?
Is your family’s release and return rhythmic? What can you do to enhance that?
What are your adult child’s current dreams?
Now I’ve introduced the themes of Trust, Truth and Trampolines, my next blogs will dive a little deeper. Keep your eyes out for them! Why not sign up below to receive updates when new content is posted on our site?