The Secret to Raising Kids Who Create Purpose

Key points

Live purposefully yourself to model it for your kids.

Avoid forcing passions or using rewards for motivation.

Unstructured play sparks genuine purpose in children.

Limit social media to prevent unrealistic purpose pressure.

It’s well-established that having a sense of purpose in life is associated with health, happiness , and even longevity. The data is overwhelming. It’s no surprise that most parents want their children to develop a sense of purpose early, imagining that instilling this value system will set them up for long-term success and fulfillment.

But there’s a catch: while well-intentioned, the way most parents go about fostering purpose often backfires. Instead of guiding our children toward their own passions and joy, we can inadvertently push them down paths