Raising kids is one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world and the one for which you might feel the least prepared. It may be one of the most challenging jobs a parent can have and also one of the most rewarding.
Yet many of us don't approach parenting with the same focus we would use for a job. We may act on our gut reactions or just use the same parenting techniques our own parents used, whether or not these were effective parenting skills.
But for dad-of-three Bryce Larrosa, the best parenting tip he can share would be, "Have a vision for your kids. Have a vision for your family."
He continues, "Know where you want to take them and do everything that you can do to go through that path."
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The greatest lesson learned as a dad
Bryce Larrosa, a dad-of-three—6-years old Zia, almost 4-years old Zela, and 1-year old Zed—6-years of being a dad and a husband to Omni Amisola-Larrosa, Bryce has learned a lot through the years and everyday is still a learning experience if you have kids growing and changing.
"As a dad and as the leader of the family, I've learned the value of vision. Your vision will serve as the compass that will tell you whether what you're doing is right or bad. That vision will simplify everything for your family," Bryce says.
"May it be a problem that needs to be solved, a business venture or a new direction that you need to take. If what comes to your mind is not aligned with you goal or vision, then that might be just a distraction," he adds.
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What Bryce teaches his kids
Being an involved parent takes time and is hard work, and it often means rethinking and rearranging your priorities. It frequently means sacrificing what you want to do for what your child needs to do. Be there mentally as well as physically.
Being involved does not mean doing a child's homework or correcting it. Homework is a tool for teachers to know whether the child is learning or not. If you do the homework, you're not letting the teacher know what the child is learning.
As for Bryce, he teaches his kids a few things about money, having friends, success, and even dealing with bullies.
With regards with money, Bryce believes that his children should value money, but not really love it. He confirms, "Though money is something that Daddy and Mommy work to have so we can provide them everything that they need, I also let them acknowledge that God is the real source of it and of all the things that we have."
As per having friends, Bryce tells his kids that they can be friends with as many as they can. He lets them make friends with anyone—from the lobby guard of the hotels that they stay at, to every kid that they meet or play with.
Bryce shares, "But we also make sure we teach them to assess the kind of friendship they have with different people so they know a friend that is worth keeping. Not all they meet can be real friends."
He also adds, "If a friend asks or influences them to do bad things, then, they are not real friends at all. Real friends are those who influence them to be the best of who they can be."
On the other hand, Bryce shares his definition of success with his kids, which is being able to freely do things that a person loves to do without compromising his values and beliefs.
He believes, "One of my dreams is to see my kids doing things that matter to them while they build their own dreams. I don't want anyone or any situation to dictate to them what they should do or aim for."
Lastly, since bullying has been around the world anywhere and everywhere, Bryce also imparts a very important reminder to his children when it comes to dealing with bullies. He actually encourages his children to stay away from bullies. He also encourages them to always seek to understand and to always be kind.
He says, "I explain to them that bullies might be going through something that might just be frustrating them and as a result, they act the way they act. But wait, I also teach them basic defense skills should they need it!"
Also read: Jayjay Lucas shares that influencing your kids is very important in being a parent
