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** Promise Your Children Success by Graham White **
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My daughter turned 1 today. What a profound experience it has been watching her learn and grow. My desire to be the greatest person my potential allows stems from my desire to provide her with the best role model she can have. Certainly a parent would not hesitate to sacrifice their life for their child, but to pursue the daily challenge of growing as an individual, especially in areas of challenge requires even greater commitment and sacrifice.

I believe children become the sum of their environment. I was limited by the shortcomings of my parents and gifted with their strengths. Certainly there were other influences in my life, but none so strong or so lasting as my parents.

I strive every day so that I will reach the limits of my potential to give those I influence, especially my children, the benefit of the knowledge and wisdom I incorporate into my life.

Below is the Promise I have made to her.  I developed it after reading the book "What a Difference A Daddy Makes" by Dr. Kevin Leman.  If you have children I encourage you to develop a promise to them.  Frame it and put it where they can see it and you are accountable to it.

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My Child, 
-I promise to help you develop a solid foundation of personal spiritual belief.
-I promise to provide you with opportunities to develop your mind and body. 
-I promise to help you develop a healthy lifestyle and a positive body image.
-I promise to provide you the opportunity to develop your talents and interests. 
-I promise to help you explore new ideas and open your mind to new possibilities. 
-I promise to encourage you to take risks and experience life to the fullest. 
-I promise to help you discover the special gifts you have to offer this world.
-I promise to set an example that you are inspired to follow. 
-I promise to exemplify the way a man treats a woman with your mother.
-I promise to guide you and help you learn to make wise choices.
-I promise to set firm boundaries and hold you accountable for your actions. 
-I promise to be there when you suffer loss and celebrate with your success. 
-I promise to tell you the things that I am proud of you for. 
-I promise to remember you have your own valid perceptions & feelings. 
-I promise to remember that no one is perfect and to apologize when I’m wrong.
-I promise to allow you the freedom to fail and to forgive your mistakes. 
-I promise to teach you the importance of balance and doing first things first. 
-I promise to help you develop social grace & emotional intelligence. 
-I promise to teach you to make money work for you so you don’t work for money. 
-I promise to attend your events & find activities and holidays we enjoy together. 
-I promise to spend time every day finding out what is important to you. 

Graham White    www.incrediblepotential.com

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