Full Disclosure: This interview and giveaway is sponsored by Duracell. I received Duracell products in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
Being a parent is hard work. But trusting the power within (my instincts) is something I rely on to do what’s best for my kids.
By now, you may have seen Duracell’s #TrustYourPower video featuring Derrick Coleman, the first NFL deaf offensive player and Seattle Seahawks’ starting fullback and special teams player. What you may not know is the inspiring story of how his family helped get him to where he is today. Derrick’s mother, May Hamlin, was available for a quick interview.
Here’s what I asked:
1. In what ways did you encourage Derrick to trust his power and achieve his dreams?
2. Motherhood isn’t easy, where did you find the strength to be more parent than friend?
3. Did Derrick have a favorite football team as a kid?
4. What meal does your family ask for most often?
5. What did you do to trust your power as a Mom?
And here’s what Derrick’s mom, May, has to say:
How do you Trust the Power Within?
Giveaway!
GOOD LUCK!
Only one person per household/IP address may enter. This giveaway is open to US residents only and will run through midnight CST on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. The winner will be randomly chosen using random.org and an email will be sent. The winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. The giveaway item will be shipped directly to the winners from the sponsor. NOTE: The prize cannot be delivered to a P.O. Box.
I talk to my kids a lot, help them with their problems and have them in the scouts and church programs so they can build friendships and confidence.
I help them set achieveable goals and meet them.
We boost them up and let them know that everyone makes mistakes.
encouragement, support, talking to them and urging them to do their best in everything they do.
I support all the interests that they have. If they want to do something we go to the library and research, then we try to find a way to at least experiment with an idea. My daughter loves horses, but we have no barn or yard for one. We were able to find someone who gives her riding lessons and lets her use a horse. Even though I don’t really know anything, I am the 4H leader this year..So we are all learning about horses!
I encourage my kids to think out side the box and follow their dream where they lead…
I help my kids learn to trust their dreams with support in all parts of their life.
I listened to my Nichiren and encouraged them to follow their dreams.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
By encouraging them and supporting them as well as providing different learning experience
I am constantly encouraging my son to do better, and make sure to tell him that he can do anything he sets his mind to! We try to tell him all the time that “can’t” shouldn’t be in your vocab, because you can do anything you put your mind to!
I want to help my daughter reach her goals and dreams by supporting her, being there for her, and being more involved!
We encourage education in our home. We believe with the right attitude and commitment to learning that one can strive to be the best person possible.
I like to share stories with her where seemingly ordinary people refused to be the down-trodden and chose instead to triumph. I also like movies with “girl-power” portrayed to be available for our entertainment.
i don’t have children. but my boyfriend and i are each other’s support system so by searching within ourselves and inspiring each other we know we always have each other to pick us up if we fall then hoist us up even higher. thanks!
I plan to encourage and support anything he enjoys and is interested in doing. I don’t think discouraging from any dream is a good thing…always give them something to work hard toward.
Always encouraging him and set a good example through everyday life.
ubrewme@yahoo.com
I talk to my son and express my encouragement! Show him all my Love
I encourage my kids to find something they love and then invest their time and focus on developing that skill.
I try to always listen and encourage their interests, and see that they are exposed to all things that they are passionate about.
i tell them to believe in yourself and anything is possible
achieve smaller goals while working towards bigger goals
I volunteer with my daughter. I think it teaches her the importance of helping others and gives her self-confidence and pride.
I listen to what my kids’ passions are
By supporting them in everything they do and helping them strive for the best they can be!
I plan to talk to them about what they want to do, and help them do it
We try to teach him to not give up and to do his best. Help build his self confidence!
I am open with my children.. they know they can talk to me about everything, I think communication is key. I also encourage my children to stand up for what they believe, and to do what they want, no matter what anyone else thinks. That is how i support them emotionally.
Physically I have started savings accounts for each of my 3 children for them to use in their future, for college or to start a business.
I loved the interview with Derricks mom.. she seems like such a sweet lady and her son has achieved so much! She is one proud momma 🙂
babydjs_mom@yahoo.com
By showing them that we (my husband & I) are accomplishing ours.
I spend time every day with each of my kids discussing what they are doing and encouraging them at every step.
First I lead by example and I encourage her to believe in herself.
I encourage my children to do their best & do my best to boost their confidence so that they do their best & believe in themselves always!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Encouragement and support is the best way to assist children to achieve their goals and dreams.
By encouraging them with positive words.
i always listen to what my kids have to say and their opinions. I try to set a good example and lead from that.
I plan to help them by being supportive
I helped my 3 boys by being as supportive of their dreams as possible. I am doing the same with my grandchildren.
I never discourage my kids from talking to me…even if its something I don’t necessarily agree with…I still try to listen without reacting right away…that way they can trust me and form their own opinions and goals.
We evaluate their interest and look for ways to expand on that. Last year my daughter attended a science and math camp because it aligned with her interest at the time and we are looking for more fun things to do.
I tried to be an example for my son and I encouraged him to be the best he could be.
I talk to my children and work with them. We set small goals and celebrate reaching said goals.
I encourage their dreams and try not to overshadow their dreams with my own dreams for their futures.
By making sure they get a good education without them having to worry about expenses.
By encouraging them to always do their best & to believe that they can do anything they set their mind to.
Work with them to learn things and encourage them to explore things within reason.
I do this by being trustful to my kids and push them to do their best.
I try to encourage them and build their self esteem.
I have helped them learn to be more independent and to accomplish things on their own, which has helped them learn to trust in their own abilities.
Encourage kids in everything they want to do
I try to be available for them no matter what they decide to do. If they need financial help and I am able to help, I will. I also try to encourage them in anything they are passionate about.
I make sure they have a stable, happy home and everything they need financially to succeed. we have family dinners together and so lots of positive family time events too!
I remind them often that they can do anything they put their minds to! I also decided when I had children to be a stay-at-home mom, so that I can take them to various activities and sports that they want to participate in…to find where their love lies!
Encouraging their talents! My oldest is drawing so we make sure she has paper and pen/pencil/crayon/marker available so she can continue to draw and get better. My middle is more a thinker so we try to read to her and keep her in conversations to grow on it! I can see her being a writer when she gets older! My youngest is just now branching out and being an individual. Hopefully its not to be a stunt double! LOL
We help them set goals and meet their goal, encourage them by letting them know that they can be anything they what to be and let them know that everyone does make mistakes.
I never tell her that something is just for boys. So many toys and activities for young children that require math, science or engineering problem solving skills are considered “boy” things. Girls end up with magical princess friendship toys. I want my daughter to feel empowered to achieve her dreams.
We encourage them to always try their best.
Encouragement and support! Helping to boost them up and letting them know that it’s okay to fall, at least you tried, and now you’ve learned something.
I give them support, Structure, rules, chores, and unconditional love.
First, to communicate to my kids and ask them what they want to achieve, and them let them know that they can become anything that want to… and reinforce in a positive way. I also tell them that it is with hard work and dedication that will make their dreams a reality. I also tell them to place their faith in God to lead them to do his will.
We encourage and support them.
We break achievable goals into small steps that help build confidence. We also watch inspirational movies and talk about how we can apply the story to our own lives and goals.
we set goals, and I always support them in whatever they do!
Encourage them to know that anything is possible.
I often remind my son that if he works hard he can be go far. We also use positive reinforcement in our home and enjoy doing things where we learn together.
I have savings accounts for my daugher and grandaughter. I encourge both to go for anything you want, and thanks to some of her savings my daughter has completed college and has her dream job. We both eincourage our little angel to try new things and we do that by letting her experience new things, and will do more as she gets olde.
ncjeepster@aol.com
By showing them I believe in them everyday.
I encourage my son to try and do the best he can. Even if he doesn’t succeed, we tell him how proud we are of him trying. If he has difficulties with something, we try to talk it out. We always encourage to keep trying and to practice! Julie smartsavvymama@gmail.com
I always lift them up and remind them that everything is possible with God.
We talk a lot about their dreams, and I get info, books and other things, related to their dreams, to help them. And talk about how you can have more than one dream, and do anything.
Always have their back!
My daughter is grown and her dream is to be a mommy. She is pregnant with my first granddaughter who is due in May. We’re all so excited! Thank you 🙂
I always tell them if its important to them it is to me and together we can achieve anything
I’ve worked hard to teach my boys (I have four sons) that there’s nothing that can stop them from achieving whatever they want in life. Two of my boys have autism, and I’ve worked extra hard to make sure that they get every opportunity to achieve what’s personally important to them (in their cases, creating art) – just because you’re unable to communicate verbally doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself artistically!
Right now it is supporting them post school as they are just out in the working world.