Dr. B – How’s your son doing with his butterfly garden?
Parent A – It’s all he talks about.
Dr. B – That’s great.
Parent A – Is this the path to passion and purpose you were talking about?
Dr. B – He’s only ten, isn’t he?
Parent A – But aren’t we supposed to be encouraging the development of passion and purpose?
Dr. B – I’m not sure what you are asking.
Parent A – You commented on how great it was that my daughter was finding her sweet spot of passion and purpose with her climate change activities.
Dr. B – Did you lead her to that?
Parent A – No. She did that all on her own.
Dr. B – She found it, but you supported it.
Parent A – You mean, I didn’t get in the way. Like when she got in trouble in school?
Dr. B – You listened with genuine interest. You recognized how important climate change was for her. You helped her think of effective ways to channel her strong feelings. You provided safety and support for an immerging source of passion and purpose.
Parent A – So, you are saying I did more than just not get in the way.
Dr. B – She easily could have been discouraged, especially after getting in trouble for the cafeteria stunt.
Parent A – What am I supposed to be doing for my son?
Dr. B – Well, you gave up a good size chunk of your lawn for his butterfly garden. And you provided him with tools and plants and advice.
Parent A – Am I supposed to use the butterfly garden to raise his consciousness about climate change?
Dr. B – Wow. Your daughter has really raised your consciousness.
Parent A – Yeah. It used to be, “We ought to do something about (climate change)”.
Dr. B – And now?
Parent A – It’s, “Dad, do you realize what your carbon footprint is? What are you going to do about it?”
Dr. B – Ha. Is that good or bad?
Parent A – Oh, I think it is for the good. She’s forcing us to act on our beliefs.
Dr. B – So, what has changed in your behavior?
Parent A – We’ve gone from beef and pork to fish and vegetarian dishes.
Dr. B – Ah, so no more pig and cow guilt?
Parent A – It hasn’t been so bad. Actually, the changes we have made feel right. Our electricity comes from a solar co-op. We’ve started composting. We try to use less gas. It’s all good.
Dr. B – Sounds like you just needed a nudge from your daughter.
Parent A – That and reading about all the climate change consequences playing out around the world.
Dr. B – Yeah. It’s sobering.
Parent A – So, what am I supposed to do for my son, to raise his consciousness?
Dr. B – It sounds like you are doing it. The example you set is the most powerful influence.
Parent A – So, I don’t need to explain how the butterfly, bee and bird populations are being affected by climate change?
Dr. B – You don’t have to scare him, but you can let him know how much those creatures appreciate the food he is providing them.
Parent A – Come to think of it, his big sister will probably provide him with more than enough climate change info.
