Hey fellow parents!
As a child of the 80s, rock stars will forever rule. But have you ever wondered if there’s a mini Mick Jagger or a pint-sized Pat Benatar waiting to unleash their inner rock star at home? Well, I've been brainstorming some fun, slightly wacky ways we can help our kids discover their own brand of confidence and charisma. It's all about turning up the volume on their self-esteem and letting their unique lights shine bright, which is one of our passions at Genie, too! And that’s exactly what we created Genie for: to help foster a safe, creative, and engaging environment. But let’s talk more about where us parents come in and take the lead!
Karaoke (Still) Kicks A**
First up, remember those old-school boomboxes with the attached microphones? Most of us had one as kids (if we were lucky), and let's just say the renditions of our favorite songs.. might have caused a neighborhood cat or two to join in on the chorus—or run for the hills?! Why not dig around for one of those (or snag a kid-friendly karaoke machine), and let your kids belt out their favorite tunes? It's a great way for them to express themselves and maybe even discover their passion for music. Plus, it’s a (literal) blast for family gatherings.
Dress Up to Draw Out: It’s All About That Shine and Shimmer
While we are on this disrupting kick, why not defy the calendar a bit? Like declaring dress-up time isn't just for Halloween. Why not make it a regular part of your kids´ routine? Most kids absolutely love when parents let them pull out some old clothes, hats, and maybe a feather boa or two, then let the kiddos mix and match willy-nilly as the fashionista spirit within moves them. It´s amazing the outfits they come up with! You can even get really into it by setting up a homemade catwalk (this can be as simple as placing masking tape strips on the rug to appear like a rudimental runway) and having a fashion show. Throw on some upbeat tunes of your kids´ choosing — any beat that really brings out the brave, and the boogie, in their hearts — and let them strut their stuff in their newly styled daring diva or cool rocker outfit. There really are no rules (very rock star, by the way), it’s all about letting them explore different facets of their personality in a fun and supportive environment.
Bringing Back the Garage Band
Another fun idea is to turn your family garage or living room into a concert hall. Help the kids put together a little band—pots, pans, and homemade instruments totally count. You can even go all out and design posters, create concert tickets (the Dollar Store sells the ones that resemble those you get at raffles or county fairs, which are perfect), and more! That’s where your physical body comes in, parents, because you can be their adoring audience. Want to be really over-the-top and silly? Be extra “extra” and bring a disposable lighter or glow stick (you could even been known an iPhone flashlight in a pinch) and channel that inner fangirl (fandad?, fanmom?) to complete the trope. Go all out and give them the full rock star treatment complete with applause, encores, and maybe even a little stage makeup — I am thinking something like that 80s-inspired over-the-top kind, like KISS´s chaotic cosmetic aesthetic from back in the day!
Video and the Inner Rockstar
Video may have killed the radio star, but it certainly brings to life the little rockstar in our kiddos. Another great idea is to video record these performances. Not only can your kids then watch themselves later — maybe even make into a fun family movie night — but it’s a great way for them to see how awesome they are! It's like their personal music video! Move over MTV!
Whatever it is you find brings out the inner rockstar in your kids, go with it! It’s incredible to see that as time goes by, these activities aren’t just super fun, they’re stepping stones for our kids to build real, lasting confidence. By encouraging them to perform and express themselves, we’re showing them it’s okay to be themselves—whether they're loud, quirky, creative, (KISS costume clad??) or all of the above. It's about celebrating their uniqueness and watching as that inner rock star shines brighter with each passing day.
So grab that mic (hairbrush or rolling pin will suffice), cue the background music, and watch your future star take the spotlight.
Rock on,
A Dad Cheering (the Loudest) in the Audience
