Let’s Vision It!

I feel like I’m always trying to come up with different ways to help my grandchildren to realize their dreams, hopes, and the blessings that they should be grateful for.

I must admit, one of the not so admirable characteristics, at least from one set of my grandchildren, is to want, want, and want, or buy me this or buy me that, or “why does he/she get this and that and I don’t?” It just drives me crazy! Their behavior goes so overboard sometimes about who gets what or how unfair life is. I admit, the grandchildren I’m referring to have a completely different living dynamic from our other set of grandkids. When you add a little dysfunction, mental illness, and ADHD into the mix, life can be quite challenging.

At the beginning of 2021, I decided to create a vision board for myself with pictures, words, sayings, etc., to help me think through my goals, dreams, wishes, favorite things, and blessings. I included hobbies, foods, travel, creative ideas, my passions, possible future endeavors, and just things that bring me joy.

I decided that a vision board would be a worthwhile activity to do with the grandchildren to help them, from a visual standpoint to realize their blessings, their likes, hopes, dreams, and goals. I had two available grandkids for the project, a huge stash of magazines, and with a poster board, scissors, and glue-stick, we were off and running.

As we worked the project, I guided them with discussion about what they are thankful for, favorite foods, favorite sports and activities, new things they would like to try, what they want to be when they grow up, new sports or hobby ideas, and to think about what was important in their lives.

Granted, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be, but then again, I was working with a 6 and 7 year old with a short attention span. I re-emphasized over and over about the vision board concept and gave the kids different reminders of the different items to go on the board. I constantly used my board as an example, saying, “see, Gramma loves to write, make crafts, spend time with family, collect rocks, garden, and more. I want to travel and teach and write and create, and get better at cooking and exercising, and meditating”.

When I look at my vision board, it reminds me of my accomplishments, my joys, my dreams, new things to learn and practice, my goals, and what is important to me. I suggested to the kids that they can make a new board each year because I’m sure many of their likes, interests, and wishes will change as they get older. A look at each year gone by can bring fond memories or even new ideas for the next year.

I finally had the grandkids on the right track as they cut out pictures of pizza, dancers, family, pets, superheroes, activities, sports, occupations, blessings, and so much more. The fundamental goal I wanted to achieve with this activity, was to reinforce to these youngsters about gratitude; help them to visualize their dreams, goals, wishes, and hopes; and help them think through how they might achieve their aspirations.

Doing this project helped the kids to use critical thinking skills, imagination, and it kept them off the video games and tablets, at least for a little while.

Until next time Warriors!

Love, GrammaWarrior