Many of us probably remember being kids and wanting to do all kinds of things. At that age, our imagination was unfettered, and we had the freedom to be curious. However, as we grew older, responsibilities became part of our lives. Slowly, we put all those childhood fascinations on the back burner, until they became nothing more than memories.

Childhood is one of the most impressionable times in anybody’s life. The way children are treated and raised can affect how they grow into adults. This part of parenting can be a bit intimidating, but with the right information, you can teach your children to hold onto their dreams and become the best versions of themselves.

Arnita Johnson-Hall is a certified credit consultant and money mindset coach. She is also the founder of AMB Credit Consultants, a credit education service that helps consumers better understand credit reporting, how to credit inaccuracies on their credit reports, and properly communicate with the credit bureaus.

Arnita is the proud mother of five children, and in this article, she shares her best advice and tips on how to train your kids to follow their dreams.

Set a good example

Just like in every other scenario, the best way to teach is by showing. If you want your kids to have enough faith to pursue their own dreams, you must first show them what it is like by pursuing your own.

Go back to your own drawing board. Is there anything you have always wanted to do but you were either too scared, too tired, or never found the time? This is the perfect time to drop all the excuses and finally go for it. This will show your kids that no matter what stage they are in life, they can achieve anything if they set their minds to it.

Listen to them

Communication is the bedrock of every relationship. Many parents do pay attention to their children, beyond meeting the physical and basic needs. Your child needs more than food and water to grow into a balanced adult.

Carve some special time out and dedicate this period to bonding. There is scientific proof that engaging with children in intellectual conversations helps them to build mental maturity. Listen to whatever they are saying like they are an equal and give feedback that shows that you are taking them seriously.

Invest in their ‘imagination.’

Do you remember going to science camp as a kid? Maybe you did not go, but if your child thinks they can become the next Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein, then your job as a parent is to do everything to support them, even if it means spending a little extra on science camp.

However, you don’t always have to spend big to show that you support them. Sometimes your presence and your support can be almost as valuable as money. Look for the little ways you can invest, like driving them to practice, motivating them or asking how you could get more involved with helping them reach their goals so that their dreams can come true. These little acts will do wonders for their confidence, even when others try to discourage them.