I write a lot of notes to myself: story ideas, grocery lists, wines to try, blog post ideas…
But the most important things I haven’t been writing down, are the things I want my kids to learn from me by example.
The problem is this: Not only am I not always the most stellar example-maker around, I also have a terrible memory (thus all the lists). I want the best for my kids, but sometimes I just can’t remember to teach the lesson when it arises at times they aren’t by my side.
So I decided to write a list for my son and daughter. I found a scrap of paper in my handbag & started jotting lessons down on it.
It was filled up within a day, so I added more to a piece of notebook paper, then some on my phone, and so on.
I figured what better place to share my list – so far – than right here. A place where people are more than willing to tell me what I forgot to put on it.
Without further ado, here are some lessons I want my kids to learn. Please feel free to add more in the comments—I’ll take any help at this parenting gig that I can get.
And from a lesson I recently learned, Be Kind. To yourself, and others.
What would you add to this list?
Order the poster version of this list HERE.
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Love these! Here’s one I try to instill in my 14 yr. old:
“If you say or do something you think is funny and you are the only one laughing, It’s NOT Funny.”
Character is what you do when no one is watching.
I love this list, BUT, I nearly stopped at “Don’t trust everyone, don’t trust anyone”, I just don’t understand what this is doing on a list which seems to be predicated on kindness, trust and acceptance. I teach my kids to follow their gut (which is on the list) – this means they trust nearly everyone, because nearly everyone is trustworthy. If you teach them to trust noone, what kind of message is that sending them about humanity……. there is no hope!!!
It’s actually “don’t NOT trust anyone,” so we are on the same page here. 🙂
Wonderful!
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
(For example, just because our Constitution guarantees you the right, it doesn’t make it kind, tasteful, or appropriate.)
I’ll never forget something my economics profession once said. It’s a criticism of today’s American society but within the comment is a valuable lesson to be learned and followed. It will need some rephrasing I’m sure:
” …today, children and taught highly value opinions, that it is important to have your own opinions and to respect the opinions of other as well. This is all fine and dandy, but is missing an essential component. What children are NOT being taught is the importance of research, doing the leg work to find true FACTS with CREDIBLE SOURCES, that validate one’s opinions”
Basically my understanding is that she was pointing out how many people in today’s society have such strong opinions on things that they either don’t actually even understand properly, or are misinformed about. Heck, people for opinions now a days based on what they heard someone else say or sometimes based on nothing at all!
I received this blog a couple of years ago from a dear friend. I was never taught good values as a child. I absolutely fell in love with reading this everyday. Most people think parenting is instinct but until you wear the shoes of an abused child and see what they see parenting is not for all. Thank you for everyone that does have some sense and makes the world brighter with writing.
I love this SOOO MUCH! I IMMEDIATELY WRITE IT DOWN AND GONNA PUT IT ON MY FRIDGE AND SEND IT TO A FEW MOMMIES. THANKS!
This is great! I would also add
“Learn to ask for help from others when you need it, and when those around you need help, don’t offer, just do.”
It is so hard for so many people to ask for help, even though most people wouldn’t think twice about saying yes.
Such a wonderful list for everyone — little dragons too! Thank you, thank you!