I didn’t always get the support and encouragement needed to feel empowered to pursue my dreams. I only recall sharing my real dreams, the inner most desires with one person in my family…my grandmother.  

And while she believed in her heart that I could and would be someone special, she did not always know how to properly position me for achievement.

It’s been a little more than a year that I quit my job to become a fulltime mompreneur.  I suppose my son Chance didn’t realize it right way.  But about six months ago, he asked “mommy why don’t you go to work anymore?”

As I sat at my desk, I immediately stop typing and adjusted my attention to his little face. I said, “I do work buddy”, he said “but you don’t leave the house like you use to.” “I’m an entrepreneur, I work for myself right here at home, I replied.  The look on his face told me that his mind was working, he asked a few questions about being an entrepreneur, I answered them and he went on about his business. 

About two weeks later he came to me with a look of excitement and said “mom, I want to be an entrepreneur like you.” “That’s awesome” I responded. He immediately says “I know exactly what I want my business to be, I have the name too.”   

I instantly smiled and forced my eyes not to cry, because I was so proud of him and I had not even heard the type of business he had in mind.  But it didn’t matter, I was overjoyed that I played a role in helping him define and pursue his dream.

As I held back the tears and asked him to tell me about his business.  He said “mom my business is Chance’s Camping Club, and I want to help kids without dads learn to camp.” Needless to say, I started to cry. I was so proud of him and his little giving heart.  I told him that I was extremely proud of him and his decision. And that I would help him start and build his business. 

Before he walked away, I said “Chance, you know it’s really interesting that you selected a camping business especially since you’ve never been camping.”  He said, “I know, daddy can teach me to camp along with a few others boys at the same time.  We can start by putting a few tents in our backyard with a fire pit since it’s so big.  That way the boys won’t be afraid of the woods.”

A few months later I filed for his business license, and for Christmas he received his first tent to operate his business.  His reaction to the tent was confirmation that he really wanted to make Chance’s Camping Club a reality.  I learned so much about my kid and about being a parent during this process. 

Here are a few things I learned that I believe will help to you encourage and support your children when pursuing their dreams.

Encourage and Support His Dreams

His dreams and aspirations were not what I had in mind or ever imagined for him, but that doesn’t mean that I avoid my responsibility to encourage him to pursue them.  Their dreams are for them, not you. No matter how big or small, when you give them permission to dream by supporting them, you open them up to a greater chance of achievement.

Be the Example 

As a mom, I was overjoyed to know – in that moment that I truly was his Shero!  I was happy that I had influenced my son, I was his example of what he could potentially be.  Fostering an environment of success in your home, allows your child to see you living your best life daily.

Love Unconditionally

Just as your dreams changed throughout your life, so will theirs as they grow. Remain encouraging and supportive as they find their passions, gifts and strengths. Empowering them to have the confidence to follow their heart and try new things, is another way of showing them how much you love them.

Helping Chance find his way is my top mom responsibility, and it’s your responsibility to your child.  We’ve never been camping as a family, I don’t have a camping memory that I can share with him, but I really want support him and give Chance an opportunity to experience a piece of his dream. 

If he is going to help other children learn and experience camping, he first must know what it means, how it feels, and all the joy and wonder of camping for himself.  Our goal is to plan our first camping trip this year. That’s why I’m entering the KOA Great Outdoors Adventure sweepstakes through Hispancize.

I am so happy to have an opportunity to share this story with you. I am beyond blessed to acknowledge it as my story; and I truly believe that it can be your story too.  Have you been struggling with encouraging your children in dreams that you did not have for them? Please share your thoughts and share it with those who may need these tips.

[latoyia]