Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, a housewife and mother of nine children, was once asked if she’d ever wanted to be a senator. She replied, “I think I’d rather be the mother of a senator. You can form a child’s mind, and soul.”

Her philosophy: “…to tend the roots as well as the stems and slowly and carefully plant ideas and concepts of right and wrong, religion and social implications.”

Politics aside, she did influence her children’s minds and they have influenced millions of other people.

Friend, that is scary.

Why? Because you and I have the same opportunity.

Whether we teach our children to be merciful or revengeful, involved or ignorant, resentful or grateful, our values—instilled in them—will affect others in ways we cannot comprehend.

Yes, of course other people and situations affect them: mental and physical illness, tragedy, learning challenges, giftedness, creativity.

But we are their first influencers. Even in the womb, they hear our voices and respond to our emotions.  We lay the foundation. Our babies and children—even adult children—are shaped by our interactions with them—touch, facial expressions, verbal tones.

Two questions: How are you influencing the future? Who guides your interactions?