New Disney Planes and Parenting: What’s My Style?

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One of my biggest roles as a parent is to help my children figure out what they enjoy and excel in and encourage them to work hard to achieve their goals. That’s a pretty big job and it makes me nervous because sometimes I can push too hard and my good intentions backfire. Each child is so unique and figuring out which parenting style will best motivate, encourage, and support each child is so hard! It’s definitely a process requiring lots of patience, forgiveness, and trial and error.

PLANES

In August, Disney will be releasing a new animated film called Planes. It’s about Dusty, a little plane who has high hopes of competing as an air racer…only, he’s afraid of heights. He has three friends who each encourage him in different ways:

  • Dottie, who realizes that Dusty has this drive, but takes the tough-love approach to helping him achieve his goals.
  • Chug, who sees the ability in Dusty and helps him train through his big, lovable heart, which can sometimes be a little soft.
  • Skipper (an old pro), who is like a tough football coach and reminds Dusty that if he’s going to do this race, he’s going to have to do this right.

Disney Planes Each of his three friends help him in different ways, using different “parenting” styles and each gives something to Dusty he needs. There’s definitely more than one way to motivate and inspire others, including our children. I tend to be a Dottie to my kids and encourage realistic goals. Sometimes, instead of just listening and encouraging and believing in my kids, I can be a bit of a dream killer because I want them to be realistic. It’s important for my children to honestly and accurately know their abilities and set their goals accordingly. I want them to be the best they can be, set their goals just barely out of reach, and know that if they work hard and persist, they can do it! However, once we establish the goal, I turn into more of a Skipper. If they’re going to set this goal, I will push them and encourage them to do it right and all the way to the finish. Different children require different strategies, and the same thing won’t work all the time. Sometimes we have to switch styles from tough football coach like Skipper to a relentless cheerleader and friend like Chug. Our kids need each us to be each Dottie, Chug, and Skipper at different times, and I can’t wait to see how each of them help Dusty achieve his goal of competing in an international air race! Most importantly, we can teach our kids to work hard and they will always reach their dreams and have courage, just like Dusty. We can turn our little single-prop planes into high-flying heroes. How do you challenge your children to follow their dreams? 

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116 thoughts on “New Disney Planes and Parenting: What’s My Style?”

  1. I always told my daughters that they could be anything they want to be. All it takes is hard work and determination.

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  2. I try to expose my kids to lots of different activities and learning opportunities. The hope is that something will spark a keen interest in them.

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  4. I try to encourage my son in whatever he tries, but help him to realize his strengths and then do whatever I can to help him excel with those endeavors.

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  5. I encourage my children to follow their passions for art and music. My 8 year old is a budding artist, my 10 year old plays guitar and drums, and my 3 year old daughter takes ballet. I applaud their accomplishments and motivate them to keep doing their best.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  7. When my children were younger, all grown and gone now. I told them to always follow your dreams. Have to say that I am proud of all four of them.

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  9. I remind my kids that they can do anything they want and that God made everybody with a purpose.
    lazybones344 at gmail dot com

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  13. I try to involve my kids in sports or activities that interest them. I also practice with them and encourage them to try their best to achieve their goals.

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  17. My kids have many interests and I keep them interested by keeping them involved. For example, my son has a huge fascination with computers, so I set him up with a summer programming camp at our local university!

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  20. We always tell them they can do anything they want if they work hard at it. We are always positive and try to put a lot of different options before them that they can choose from according to their interests.

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  28. We don’t have children but my parents encouraged my brother and me by telling us we risked nothing but our egos if we didn’t at least try. And we’d learn from our failures, so go for it.

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  30. I take the time to listen to my son when he talks about his dreams and passions, even though he is just 7 years old. Even though some may not make sense, I encourage him, and remember that these are his dreams. :)

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  32. I encourage my daughter to try new things–types of sports or activities and when I see she is really interested in something I push her to do the best she can at it and constantly be supportive of her in any decision she makes!

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  35. I have two nieces and I don’t try to encourage them the way a parent would. However, I do try to inspire them and open them up to new interests by taking them on day trips to local museums, concerts, and storytelling events at the library. We participate in arts and crafts classes once a month and bake together. I spend every Saturday morning and afternoon with them while my brother and his wife work so we try to make it a fun experience and I always applaud their efforts! Hopefully they feel comfortable enough to get excited over trying new things at other times! :)

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  37. I challenge my kids to follow their dreams by helping them to get involved in community acticities so they can figure what they want to do in life!!

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  39. I challenge them by giving them steps to follow in order to reach their goals They want to go to the anime convention, then first they have to do chores to earn the money to get there! It’s not just about giving them work to do though It’s also about supporting and encouraging them and helping them find ways to get to where they want to go :)

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  41. I encourage my daughter to keep trying even when she thinks it’s too difficult to go on. I let her know anything that is truely important to her is worth fighting for to press on.

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  43. I encourage and support them to experience all they like, enjoy the process of trial and error. It was not always pleasant and smooth, however I do believe you got to give them chances to grow.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  45. I tell her to reach for her dreams… sometimes she will succeed, other times it may be more difficult-but if she is determined, she just may make it. I encourage her to use her creativity and help her when she needs it. I tell her by doing the best she can, she will know that she has tried her hardest and that is all that matters. So being supportive, helpful, and being there are very important.

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  47. I tell them I’m proud of them. Encourage them to spend their time doing things at which they feel competent and valued

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  49. i think the key is to have them try many things, whether it’s in the arts, sports, or intellectual pursuits, and see what they spark to or are good at–even if it’s not necessarily what you desire. it’s best that they find something that they’re passionate about, not what they feel pushed into doing!

    kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

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  51. I challenge my children to follow their dreams by giving positive reinforcement, motivating them often, and enrolling them in classes or teams that help make those dreams become more a reality. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  54. I encourage my children by being available to them and teaching them that success comes with hard work, perseverance, and prayer.

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  59. I challenge my kids to follow their dreams by making them try new things and helping them overcome the fear of failing/not liking something.

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  64. My kids are older, so the encouragement frequently consists of being a sounding board as they think out pros and cons, ins and outs of different things. I sometimes point out things they don’t seem to have considered, but it is pretty self-directed by now.

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  65. I sit with my kids once a month to make a schedule, and I love when they have tons of feedback! IT’s something to look forward to every month, even if it is as small as a trip to the library or learning a new sport!
    I also show my kids that hard work pays off, my husband and I are in the process of opening our own business, so the kids really see how things can happen if you really try!

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  68. I encourage my kids by being their biggest and loudest cheerleader! I always let them know that anything can be accomplished if you work hard enough at it and I support them every step of they way!!

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  86. I challenge them by letting them by celebrating their successes and helping them through things they have difficulty with.
    Michelle Tucker
    michelletucker at baconnation dot net

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  93. I encourage our kids to reach for their goals by asking them how they are doing, what they want to do and how they plan to do it!

    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  100. I encourage them by letting them know I believe in them and that anything is possible when you try. I also share my own experiences

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  104. I always tell them to believe in themselves and that you wont know if you like something or not unless you try it!
    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

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  107. We encourage our boys to try whatever they think they would like to do. Sometimes they realize it’s not for them. As in the case with karate. But sometimes it’s something that becomes a passion, like baseball. As long as they find something they really care about it and give it their all, we are happy.

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  109. I tell her of our great grandmother who walked the Trail of Tears and survived. I tell her the same blood and courage flows in her body and to carry herself with courage, determination and be strong.

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  114. I encourage him to try new things and expose him to many new things – granted he’s only 8 months, but new book, new toys, new textures, rain on his skin, puddles after the warm summer storms, sandy beaches etc
    You never know what you’ll want to be or do in life until you know what’s out there!

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