Our Kids: Creating Hope - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Our Kids: Creating Hope

The most hopeless situation is when there is no hope.  But hope by itself doesn't change things.  We have to turn hope into action.

Try these five steps to create more hope for your family.

1. Dreams and Hopes
New Year is a great time to spend time with your family talking about dreams and your hopes for the future.  Dreams don't always come true; but just thinking about them gives you ideas and a look at possibilities - the first step in dreams coming true.
 
2. Realistic Hope
Some of your children's hopes and dreams might not be realistic.
Listening doesn't mean you agree or that you can make their dreams come true.
Listening means you care about your children and what they think.

3. Active Hope  
Share chores and responsibilities at home
Assign what needs to be done or,  to keep it interesting, draw chores each week and include a FREE card. Consider including parents in the drawing.  
*Make time to play together
Let each child and each adult choose a family game or activity each week - each of  you will survive 30 minutes of playing each other's favorite game
*Volunteer to help others in Cheyenne
 Helping others makes you feel good and supports your community.  Maybe time to clean out clothes, hats, mittens, coats and toys after Christmas and give to those less fortunate; pick up a small bag of extra groceries next time you are at the store to give to a food bank; shop for a baby and donate to programs helping new, low income parents. Ask your children about a cause they might want to support.        

4. Parental Hope
The most valuable gift of hope you can give your children is to be hopeful yourself.  
The old saying, "If Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"  rings true.  Your are your child's best role model.  
Most of us know what a healthy lifestyle is.  If you are having trouble being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, seek out the support of others, and learn by observing and associating with those who's lifestyles you admire and respect.

5. Family Hope  
We all feel scared and inadequate when it comes to problems in our world.  But in your own family, you are influencing your children for the future.  Teaching and modeling hope helps move those dreams forward.