Here’s one of most important questions you’ll ever be asked (that is, If you’re a dad, or you ever plan to be): Do you have a vision for your family?

Now I know answer for many of you will be a resounding, “Yes!”. I think at some point all of us most likely plan, in some way, for our family’s future.

What I am asking, however, is this: “Do you have a MULTI-GENERATIONAL vision for your family?”

Now that throws a different light on question, huh?

Allow me to define what I mean by “multi-generational”. The first part of word is “multi”, which is derived from “multiple”, meaning to consist of more than one part. Next we have word “generational”. This is a form of word “generation”, which is relationship of a child to his parents (i.e. a son is first generation of his father, while a grandson is second generation and so on). So when I ask if you have a “multi-generational vision”, I am in effect asking if you possess a vision for your children, their children, and their children’s children.

Many people will have stopped reading this article at this point, possibly because they feel that their great grandchildren (they may not have even been born yet) have nothing to do with how they live their own life now. I beg to differ—and hope you will continue reading. If you have chosen to read on, I applaud your tenacity as well as your ability to see things in various degrees of light. Your “game plan” for today and beyond definitely DOES affect more than just you ---and much more than just your generation.

I would like to take a moment to share various aspects of multi-generational vision I have, with hope that you’ll consider devising one for yourself. It goes like this: I strongly desire to see my children succeed me in their lives. I tell them that this is not only my desire for them, but also for their children, and their children’s children, and so on. I pray that my sons will then go on to have same vision for their future families. (What a glorious day it will be to sit in same room with three or four generations of my family, all with same multi-generational faithfulness!) When I teach my children a new task, or read out loud, or just generally spend time doing something of importance with them, I share how this can be “passed on” to their kids. I explain how our faith in God is vital for all aspects of our lives, and how to keep that faith alive in our family. They understand that they are important to me, so they listen when I share with them my vision for each of generations to come.

Sylvia is a fictitious character, but sadness and emptiness that can accompany a child leaving home for first time is real. It is called Empty Nest Syndrome, and can be devastating for a parent. Even though it can affect both parents, more times than not, it is mother who suddenly finds herself with these feelings of being lost and alone. The affects can vary, depending on different factors. For instance, when mother is divorced and living alone, it can be particularly difficult. When a mother has been a stay at home mom, she might feel that life is over, that she has no purpose in living. In severe cases, when depression is severe or last a long time, counseling may be needed.

What some people don’t realize is that Empty Nest Syndrome actually begins sometime during high school years. Our children become more independent and begin to make important decisions for themselves, and their future. We begin to miss children they once were.