Harris This week, I want to talk exclusively to the parents of Bullard.

I think a growing problem we have in communities around the world is parents not encouraging their children enough to pursue their biggest dreams.

Too few children are being reassured they could one day become the president of the United States. Not enough kids are being told they could be a bigleaguer if they practice hard every day.

I would like to propose to parents that you support your children’s dreams, no matter how abstract they may be, and be proud of it.

Secretly, you know that probability will most likely keep your son or daughter from being a professional athlete making millions of dollars per year. I think that whether you know that or not, if that’s what your child wants to do, do everything in your power to support them.

Usually at one point or another in a child’s life, they aspire to be an athlete or an actor, anything to gain fame and fortune. The fact of the matter is, most of them will never make it. As they grow older, however, they may change their tune.

I was fortunate enough to have parents who supported me at all costs. My father almost went in to debt one year, surprising me with a top-oft he-line baseball glove, in hopes it would inspire me to follow my dreams. Although I haven’t made it to the big leagues yet, back then, I felt like I was the best player to ever step on a baseball field.

I don’t want the parents of this community to think I don’t believe you are supporting your children, because I certainly do. What I am saying is, you don’t always have to be realistic about your child’s goals.

Create memories with your children. If they want to be the president of the United States, sit them down and watch the State of the Union addresses together. Explain to them what the president deals with on a daily basis, give them every opportunity to explore anything they think they want to do, within legality of course.

If your child wants to become a disc jockey, pull out some of your old records or tapes and play them. Worstcase scenario: your son or daughter hates it, and thinks you’re old and have horrible taste in music. First time that’s ever happened to a parent, I know.

You never know. They may fall in love with your original Beatles album, and it may serve as a bonding experience and help develop building blocks they need to become a very successful DJ.

If your child wants to be an actor, buy them acting manuals and sign them up for acting classes. If your child begins to trust you will support them, you can eventually help them achieve goals that you would like to see them achieve, as well.

For instance, if your son wants to play baseball in the major leagues, encourage them to study hard and do well in school so they can get a scholarship to a big college to get exposure for the big leagues.

The point is, you never know what your child is getting out of your reassurance. That one time you told them they could be the president as long as they studied, ate healthy foods, and worked at it every day, may serve as the one instance in his life that propelled them to that goal.

Coming from someone who has changed his career goals many-a-time, whatever it is they want to do, make them believe they can. One day, they will wake up and realize you had more to do with their success than almost anything else.

And although I’m not a parent, I’m sure that will be a special day.

Kyle Harris is a reporter for the Bullard Banner News. E-mail news2@bullardnews.com.