Preparing Kids for an Unknown Future

Recently, while reading a book, I found myself reflecting on what the next 50 years will look like—not just in the realm of health, but in the world at large. The pace of technological and societal change has never been faster, and it raises important questions about how we can prepare our children for a future that is impossible to predict.

I tend to be optimistic about the future. While there will undoubtedly be challenges and periods of instability as we undergo major transitions, I believe that the standard of living and overall quality of life will continue to improve. Advances in medicine, technology, and human collaboration have the potential to create a world where people are healthier, happier, and more fulfilled than ever before.

But as a parent, this optimism is tempered by a lingering uncertainty. How do we guide our children when the skills they’ll need, the careers they’ll pursue, and the societal structures they’ll live within are all shifting beneath our feet? What advice can we offer them to ensure they thrive in a world that may look completely different from our own?

Futurist Ray Kurzweil often speaks about how difficult it is to predict the trajectory of progress. Looking back at the year 1900, few could have imagined the internet, modern medicine, or the way artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape our daily lives. 

It is worth sharing a quote from the book to really take this message home:

“If I were a precinct futurist in 1900, I would have said to the labor forces: ‘There are around 40 percent of you who work on farms (a figure that was over 80 percent in 1810) and a fifth of you who work in factories, yet I predict that by the year 2023 the portion of you working in manufacturing will fall by more than half (to 7.8 percent), and those working in agriculture by over 95 percent (to less than 1.4 percent).’ 

I could have gone on to say: ‘ You need not worry, though, because employment will actually go up rather than down. More jobs will be created than eliminated.’ If they then ask me, ‘What new jobs?’ an honest answer would have been ‘I don’t know- they haven’t been invented yet. And they will be in industries that don’t exist yet.’ That this is not a very satisfying response illustrates why political anxiety is associated with automation.

If I were really prescient, I would have told people in 1990 that new jobs would soon become available to create and operate websites and mobile applications, doing data analytics and online merchandising. But they wouldn't have had any idea what I was talking about.”

-Ray Kurzweil The Singularity is Nearer p 199-200

With that in mind, rather than trying to predict specific trends, I believe the best way to prepare our children is by instilling timeless principles that will serve them well, no matter what the future holds.

1. Be a Good Person

At the core of success—both personal and professional—is character. I teach my children to treat others with kindness and compassion, to act with integrity, and to nurture meaningful relationships. In an age of rapid change, human connection will remain a fundamental need. Encourage them to build deep bonds with their community and to develop personal mastery that allows them to contribute meaningfully to the lives of those around them.

2. Develop a Life Philosophy

The world may change, but the search for meaning remains constant. I encourage my children to continually refine their sense of purpose and their personal philosophy on life. I do my best to teach them to be curious, to embrace lifelong learning, and to hold strong convictions while remaining open to new perspectives. Their true wisdom will come from the ability to question assumptions while staying grounded in one’s core values.

3. Cultivate Adaptability and Resilience

The future will reward those who can adapt. I am actively encouraging my children to embrace change rather than fear it (and trying to encourage myself to do the same too). Whether through developing a growth mindset, learning new skills, or building emotional resilience, adaptability will be one of the most valuable traits they can possess. The ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence and agility will set them apart in an unpredictable world.

4. Master the Art of Learning

With the acceleration of technology, the half-life of knowledge is shrinking. The specific skills that are valuable today may be obsolete in a few decades. Rather than focusing solely on teaching static knowledge with my kids, I emphasize the ability to learn quickly and efficiently, learning how to learn. Essential to my approach is to instill a love for learning in each child, teaching them how to think critically, and encourage them to become self-directed learners who can continuously evolve alongside the world around them.

5. Balance Technology with Humanity

The future will be increasingly intertwined with technology—artificial intelligence, automation, and digital ecosystems. But as much as technology enhances our lives, it’s essential that we remain deeply connected to our humanity. As I am learning about the advances in technology I am having open and honest conversations with each of my children on topics such as how to use technology as a tool rather than a crutch, how to balance digital interactions with real-world experiences, and how to cultivate emotional intelligence alongside technical proficiency. I don’t go into these conversations with answers, I go in with genuine curiosity and am sincerely interested in what my children's thoughts are on these questions.

Final Thoughts

While we cannot predict exactly what the next 50 years will bring, we can equip our children with the values and mindsets that will allow them to thrive. By fostering character, curiosity, adaptability, and resilience, we give them the foundation to navigate an uncertain world with confidence. In the end, the best way to prepare them for the future is to teach them how to live well and to give them the skills that will allow them to develop the most options, so that they can be empowered and prepared, no matter what that future may hold.