A year ago my son starting asking if he could start a podcast. Of course! What a great idea! Then, he shared what he wanted the topic to be about: The history of video games. 🎮 🫣 You see, we have one video game console (a Wii) and he plays a few hours total a month with his brother or dad. That’s it. Video games aren’t really something I want him to be obsessed with, and I could think of plenty of other topics I would rather my son be interested in. But he is fascinated by the history, the characters, how they’re made, the inventors, and how gaming technology has changed over time. So instead of shutting him down or even redirecting him, I have learned to make room for it. He’s researching, reading books and articles, writing scripts, adding jokes and science facts, practicing communication skills, and learning how to consistently work toward something he cares about. He’s learned how to use a podcast platform, insert sound effects, and edit. He would’ve missed all of that if I would’ve shut him down. I’m realizing more and more that our children are their own people. They aren’t meant to become smaller versions of us. Our job isn’t to choose the interest or their hobby. It’s simply to notice it, encourage it, and give it room to grow. A question that I keep asking myself is: Am I cultivating my child’s growth or am I trying to control it? And yes, I know I need to get him a bigger table or desk 🤪