My Little Dreamer – Helping Kids Achieve Their Dreams #MyLittleDreamer

When I grow up, I want to be…

When I was a child, I was a little dreamer.  I always knew I wanted to become a teacher.  My first experience with relationships outside the family was with my kindergarten teacher.  She was a gentle, caring, nurturing teacher and, as a timid child, that made all the difference in my experience entering my school years.

In grade five, I had an English teacher whom I admired.  I aspired to become just like her.  She sparked my love of language arts and English literature.

I knew back then that I wanted to teach English. There were a few times throughout my school years that I entertained the thought of becoming a cultural anthropologist, an archaeologist, or marine biologist; an ecologist, a pediatrician, or an art historian.  Those were all of great interest to me, but I always came back to my love of the English language, the grammar, and of course, English literature.

Many years later, much to my father’s chagrin, I chose to study Liberal Arts and Social Science in c.e.g.e.p., and then went on to receive my B.A. in Honours English with a minor in Linguistics in university.  My father wanted a doctor or a lawyer, but being the stubborn individual that I was (and still am), I pursued my dreams of teaching.  I taught English grammar and ESL from 1998 to 2012.

When I mention that it was much to my father’s chagrin, it’s because I realize how he was concerned about my future and wanted me to earn a “more than just comfortable” living.  I understand where he was coming from, but my passion was not in the profession that he wanted for me. I wanted to be doing something that I was passionate about and chosen by me.

Though I know my career path was not the one my father envisioned, he and my mom supported me. My mom encouraged me to go with what made me happy and what I was interested in pursuing. Being a parent is supporting and encouraging your child and nurturing  and cultivating those talents, skills, and interests.

I find it interesting that my daughter has always said that she wants to become a NICU nurse.  She was born at 28 weeks gestation and spent the first seventy-two days of life in the NICU at Mount Sinai.Without the help of doctors, nurses, RTs, modern medicine, and technology, she wouldn’t be here today.  We’ve never tried to influence Little One’s decision on her career path.  She’s only seven years old, and has a quite a few years yet to find out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.  I am always in awe that she has wanted to be a NICU nurse ever since she was really little.  She said she wants to help save, and take care of, little preemies just like her.

It makes my heart feel like it is going to burst whenever Little One tells people that she wants to become a NICU nurse when she gets older.  I’ve told her that she can choose to be whatever she wants to be and with determination, hard work, studying, and dedication (and the funds to further her education), she can be what she wants to be when she gets older.  I am always amazed that she wants to be not just a nurse, but a NICU nurse.  How specific!

My Little Dreamer

There was a time when she wanted to be a teacher because she adored her kindergarten teacher.  That warmed my heart.  Her kindergarten teacher had a tremendous impression on her. She modeled kindness, compassion, patience, and all the things young children need in a teacher.  No wonder she was her role model!

“I want to be a NICU nurse”

Still, her decision is unwavering.  She sometimes says she wants to be a rock star/singer/NICU nurse.  Sometimes she wants to be a dancer (jazz and ballet), but always dancer/NICU nurse or rock star/NICU nurse. Who knows what Little One will become?  She may change her mind and discover that becoming a NICU nurse is, in the end, not what she wants to be.

Part of being a kid is to dream, and to dream big.

I cannot count how many times Little One has the “When I grow up, I want to be…” conversations with me. I love to hear how excited she gets when talking about it.  Dreaming big and knowing there are no limits to what can be accomplished is truly a great part of being a child.

Helping Little Dreamers’ Dreams Come True

Heritage Education Funds is proud to help kids achieve their dreams and has partnered with Caroline Rhea to bring you My Little Dreamer, a new series of commercials depicting various kids working in jobs such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and so on.  Caroline stumbles upon each one as she goes about her day and she is told that these kids were able to focus on their education because of a Heritage RESP. It really warms the heart.Heritage is giving you a chance to win your very own $5000 RESP (and more, including a $1500 iTravel2000 travel voucher!) during the #MyLittleDreamer contest, which runs from June 15th to September 15th. Entrants upload a short video of their children expressing what they want to be when they grow up. Videos will be housed on Heritage’s corporate Facebook page through a plugin (Woobox) and each video will begin collecting votes. Prizes are awarded based on number of votes (the grand prize), the creativity in the video, and a randomized draw of all entries.  Such an amazing contest.

#MyLittleDreamer Twitter Party

To further celebrate kids and their big dreams (and the parents who support them), Heritage Funds is hosting a Twitter Party! There are $1200 in prizes to be won and an appearance by special guest Caroline Rhea!

Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016

Time: 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET

Hashtag: #MyLittleDreamer

Host: @HeritageFunds

Prize Sponsors: @HeritageFunds @iTravel2000 @the_cmr @HeritageLending @DKCanada

I’m looking forward to participating in the party.  I’m also excited about seeing what the future has in store for my little dreamer. Every child should be able to dream big and to follow their dreams.

Disclosure – This post was written in affiliation with Heritage Funds.  All thoughts and opinions on this blog are honest and my own.