An option on building tomorrows future
The shift I hope you'll copy
Raising kids in today’s world is no easy task. Between screens, pressure, and the pace of life, it can feel like we’re sprinting just to keep up — let alone stay intentional. But one thing I’ve come to realize as a dad is this:
The world won’t slow down for our children — so it’s our job to prepare them to rise above it.
I’ve got two little ones: Wyatt, who’s 5, and Willa, who’s just 5 months. They’re the heartbeat of everything I do. And while they’re still young, my approach to parenting isn’t passive or reactive. It’s proactive, deliberate, and centered around one goal: preparing them to thrive, not just survive.
Setting My Children Up for Success
The mindset shift I believe every parent should embrace
Why logic and resilience are better tools than commands and control
The daily ritual I use to build confidence, courage, and empathy in my kids
Let's dig in.
1. Confidence Comes From Doing Hard Things — Not Waiting for Permission
There’s a myth we tell our kids: “Once you’re confident, you’ll be ready.” But confidence isn’t something you’re handed. It’s something you earn — by showing up, getting uncomfortable, failing, and trying again.
This narrative is especially dangerous for girls. Studies show that by age 8, girls are already less confident than boys, and by age 14, their confidence drops by 30% on average. This isn’t about ability — it’s about encouragement, exposure, and mindset.
So my wife and I flip the script. In our house, confidence follows courage. It comes after trying something new, even when you’re scared. Especially when you’re scared. We teach our kids that bravery isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the triumph over it.
2. Use Logic, Not Power — Teach Them to Think, Not Just Obey
Since Wyatt was 2, I’ve been teaching him about engineering, thermodynamics, how race cars work, and airplanes fly — not because I expect him to be a engineer (though it'd be nice), but because I believe in feeding curiosity early.
We speak to our kids like adults. We don’t change our words or avoid “hard” topics. We explain the why behind our decisions. Because a “no” without a reason is a command. But a “no, and here’s why” is a lesson. And every lesson teaches logic, agency, respect and positions them to make their own decisions.
This approach isn’t about control. It’s about preparing them to navigate a complicated world — to question, to reason, to stand on their own two feet. Kids don’t need protection from knowledge. They need guided exposure to it.
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3. Build Rituals That Reinforce Resilience, Identity, and Community
Every morning before I drop Wyatt off at school, we go through our ritual. It’s simple. It’s powerful. And I hope you steal it, modify it, or create your own.
It’s not just about pumping him up — it’s about reminding him who he is, what he can do, and how he can impact others. Here’s what it sounds like:
> What are we going to do today?
> Kick today’s butt. [We scream this part together]
> What can I do?
> Anything I put my mind to.
> There is nothing wrong with failure.
> I only fail if I give up.
> I’m confident because…
> I’m capable.
> If something scares me…
> I’m going to do it anyway, because that’s what it means to be brave.
> Are we brave?
> Yes, I’m brave.
> Things that happen to me are how big?
> Small.
> All that matters is…
> How we react.
> If I get frustrated, I will…
> Step back, take a deep breath, try again.
> I will be a leader, not a follower.
> But to be a leader, I must be someone… worth following.
> Today, I will be…
> Strong, Nice, Learn, Have Fun — and I will Help 1 person and Make 1 person laugh.
> And remember…
> Mom and Dad love me.
It’s repetition with intention. Words that build internal armor. A roadmap for how to move through the world with both kindness and grit.
My hope isn’t to raise kids who simply follow rules or make good grades. I want them to think bigger. To be curious. To imagine what’s possible.
When Wyatt told me he wanted to be a snow plow driver, I didn’t shut it down. I just said, “What if you owned a snow plow company — and could drive any truck you wanted whenever you wanted?” His eyes opened wider and I could see his brain thinking.
Because our kids will meet the expectations we give them — so why not aim high?
If you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or mentor — consider what legacy you’re shaping. The world is hard. But with the right guidance, our kids will be harder to break and quicker to love. And that’s a future worth building.
Not your real estate investment edition today, but you know me, I like to do things differently.
Jon
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