How do you inspire your children?

Our children mean the world to us. Every parent’s dream is for their children to excel in whatever field they choose and become the best person they can ever be. But it’s not that easy and I believe it all starts with us as their parents to be able to set the example which hopefully they will follow and will last for a lifetime. Here are some friends who will share with us how they inspire their child for a lifetime.

Anthony Pangilinan, corporate and personal change advocate

Psalm 78:72 reads, “David shepherded the people of Israel with an upright heart and a skillful hand.” What I learn from this is I need to both encourage their hearts and empower their hands — puso’t kakayahan. Take time to fill their hearts with good things and pour out resources into their hands for enhanced skills. Both will stay with them and inspire them forever.

Maribel Sison Dionisio, parenting, relationship and family consultant

By helping your children set goals on grades in school, extra-curricular activities to get involved in; setting career goals; bonding with them daily, so that you know their interests; affirming any small or big effort or accomplishment to build their confidence; being a good role model at work and in relationships.

Heny Sison, chef and culinary educator

As parents it is our duty to provide our children a good environment that will inspire them to succeed in life. Good education, good moral values are very important. Find out your child’s interests early in life. Help and support them in developing those interests. Whenever we travel we bring our children on our travels, local and abroad for them to get exposed to the different cultures and traditions of other people. We also give them the freedom to choose their field of interests. 

Coney Reyes, award-winning actress

I believe that by exemplifying a life of faith in God, integrity and excellence, we leave a legacy to our children, children’s children and generations after us that would inspire them for a lifetime.

Patty Ang, fashion designer

I constantly remind my daughter that what you do today will determine what you’ll do tomorrow. I inspire her by showing her that in life, she needs to start doing the small things. To just be faithful and have a Godly perspective, always. 

Honey Valencia Carlos, off-shore financial adviser

The only way I know how to inspire my boys, Augustine and Seve, is to live a life of Faith fulfilled in love. I try to guide them to a deep desire for an intimate relationship with our God,  as I try my best to live a life anchored on His word. There are no guarantees in life and the only way they can weather life’s storms is to know God’s plan and purpose for them. I pray that they will live their lives according to this, so that even their children will honor God in all things. If He is their anchor, He will keep them grounded and humble. As the Bible verse says in John 15:5 —  “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Bro. Bo Sanchez, lay preacher

My father inspired me by spending time with me every day.  He made me feel that I was more important than his job, his car, his hobbies, his recreation, even his religious services.  I’m doing the same thing with my two boys today.  By spending time with them, I’m telling them that they’re worthy of love and greatness. If they believe that at their core, I know they’ll be inspired for a lifetime.

Pinky Yee, business group director, Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc.

I’m a firm believer in the principle that “lessons are caught, not taught.” Children will naturally mimic and emulate the behavior of their parents, more than they internalize verbal lectures or instructions. The pressure is therefore on us, to ensure that our example will teach them valuable lessons about integrity, honesty, diligence, compassion, and self-worth. Apart from loving them unconditionally, being a good role model is the best way to inspire our children.

Millie Reyes, restaurateur, The Plaza

I am proud of what my daughter has become! As a parent, I have inspired my daughter by my examples of integrity, hard work and being God-centered. These values I learned from my own parents. Raising Karla as a single mom was not easy at times. But it allowed her to be independent and tough to act on her own when I was busy or not around. I supported all her activities and dreams and, in a way, she has and is supportive of my own endeavors. Funny, but now, she is inspiring me!

Marissa Prats Garcia, president, Re/max Prestige Realty

Through my personal experience, the best gift I can give my children for a lifetime of inspiration is to show them how to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God.  To read the Bible, learn about His promises to us, and to try their best to know Him personally, which is achieved by spending time with Him daily in prayer. This faith relationship is the foundation that will give them the strength, confidence, and motivation to continue to learn, grow, and be a positive force that unites instead of divides, to give of themselves, share their talents, to be kind to others, and to be able to conquer the fears that can at times hold them captive.