The World We Create For Our Children

~Escape to the Chateau~

Let’s be honest, some children are blessed to have amazing parents while others are not. I’d like to think that despite the parents, children are resilient enough to flourish no matter the path before them. But as I watch Escape to the Chateau on HGTV, I can’t help but marvel at Dick and Angel Strawbridge with their children. Oh, I know it’s television, but some things are just too pure and authentic to stage- like Dick’s infectious laugh and the couples complete and amazing imagination.

Dick and Angel Strawbridge are the English version of Chip and Johanna Gaines (HGTV’s Fixer Upper), both loved by their audiences for not only their talent but their undeniable love for their family. There is a difference, however, as odd as it may seem- considering English and American personalities, Dick and Angel are the wild and whimsical parents, while Chip and Johanna are the steadfast, practical but fun parents. (Dick and Angel live in a chateau and Chip and Johanna live on a farm.)

As I watch Angel with her flawless ivory completion, colorful make-up and bright fiery red-orange hair, I can’t help but smile. With every glance her laughing eyes draw you into her world, where her chateau walls are converted into menageries of stuffed whimsical animals, murals of family, and design elements that only Angel could possibly think up. Beside her is her amazingly talented husband, Dick. How the man is so talented is beyond me. An engineer by trade, with a military career to boot, he is a master chef, master gardener, craftsman, and ultimate dad to his children.

One night while watching the show, my husband threw up his hands and said, “The man can do literally EVERYTHING! How am I supposed to compete with that?”  (Dick had just completed an elevator shaft he designed himself for the turret of the chateau and then cooked for a wedding.) He was right, no man or woman should attempt to outdo these two talented people. But, it’s not their talent I’m here to share with you.

I’m here to share the message this couple is sending to their children – the message that says,

You are loved, you are special,

we’re glad you are in our lives and

anything is Possible if…

You dare to dream and live life to the fullest.

And Dick and Angel DO live life to the fullest with their children. No matter what project or event they are doing, their children are involved. They make certain that they cultivate their own children’s creativity, giving them the freedom to explore and imagine. The children live in a world of laughter, hugs and surprises. Dick and Angel play in the garden with their children, camp in the woods, fish in the moat, paint, cook and help with new creations around the chateau.

Honestly, I thought I was a pretty good parent as my children grew up. I played with them, taught them to be creative, to be kind and love others for who they are. But now watching the Strawbridges, I wonder if I did all I could. Did I get too involved in my work, my own projects, my own dreams? Was I doing it for my children or for myself? Financially, I was working for my kids to have a better life, but at what cost? Do my children now, grown with their own lives, remember our laughter, our singing in the car, our tea parties and game nights? To me, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for my children, but did they take that with them when they moved away?

In one episode, Angel Strawbridge is talking about how she and Dick love Christmas. She says, wiping a tear from her cheek, “It’s all really for the children, isn’t it?” And she’s right.  What we do as parents should be for our children in every way, because they learn from us how to dream, to imagine, to be hardworking for a purpose, to be understanding and kind. If we aren’t’ the ones nurturing our children, who is? I can guarantee you that if you take one evening to watch a few episodes of Escape to the Chateau, you will fully understand my message here today.

And if you don’t have children of your own?  Be a parent to a child who has not been blessed with a  family home with nurturing parents. There are lots of children who could use a mentor or just a friend to help them imagine a life where dreams do come true.

As for me… I’d like to think my children had a fun childhood. I know I did. My parents may not have been as great as the Strawbridges… after all they live in a chateau (basically a castle,) but we DID live in a villa once- and I’ll take that and all the love my parents have given me over the years. Because you know what? They taught me to imagine, inspire others, and to dream big- and I’m pretty sure I’m on the right path to reaching those noble goals.

 

To Learn More About The Strawbridge Family Click Here