Inspiring the next generation

By Tina Riley (née Verda)

 Whilst there are many things that have and still do inspire me as a person, for my contribution to Greg’s #50inspirationalthings for the fantastic RHMC, I have decided to share something personal which I reflect on most days which simply put is - I want to be an inspiration to my children. 

 Now I’m not a doctor, or a Vet. I was never great at science so I won’t be discovering any cures for any of the world’s ailments.  I’m unlikely to swim the channel, scale Everest, trek to the South Pole or sail around the world. Roles and endeavours that inspire me or leave me in awe.

In August my youngest daughter Matilda graduated. She is only 3 and a half but it seems to be a thing now with Nursery’s to stage mock graduations for children that can be in their care from as little as 3months to 5 years old. On arriving at Matilda’s graduation I was given a photo taken a few days previously with her wearing a mortarboard cap and gown holding a chalkboard of what she wanted to be when she grows up. It simply read ‘A Mummy’.

 At first, I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed, why didn’t it say Doctor or Astronaut (we’d gone to the National Space Centre on the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing just a few weeks earlier), thinking perhaps she’d set her aspirations a little low and forgetting for a moment she is only 3. She clearly has years ahead of her to be inspired by the great and the good so perhaps I was over thinking it, and wasn’t being a Mummy one of my life aspirations after all?! When reflecting on it further and sharing the photo with family and friends the feedback was nothing but positive all saying that it was a reflection on me and I must be doing a great job. May be I thought. May be I should see it as a big compliment.

I am fully aware of the central role that I play in my children’s life, which is why I chose to ‘pause’ my career and work 3 days a week while they’re young but still in a role that is strategic and relevant to the Business and I do thank HomeServe and Greg for that flexibility.   

I believe my role as Emilia and Matilda’s Mummy is not only to inspire, but to also help them with the fundamentals; to read and write, know right from wrong, love good food, care for the environment, help them to grow into people that will hopefully go on to help society in their own small or big way. Whilst I still feel a need to personally inspire them through the things I do and say, I also need to ensure they see and learn the inspiration from the world around them. There is inspiration to be taken from all corners of the earth as well as in our own homes, so through my parenting, my work, volunteering, hobbies etc. I will hopefully find ways to inspire my children and that they will also discover their own inspirations as they grow.

To finish on a lighter note, Matilda’s Nursery graduation in the Summer (the Class of 2019), saw 20 or so children moving on to School Nursery or Reception all with a variety of ideas of what they wanted to do when they grow up. One of my favourites was Matilda’s best friend Alys, who, in mortar board and gown held up her chalkboard sign stating proudly that she wanted to be…’A Unicorn’! And why not! :)