Being a parent is a complex job and there are so many things that we, as parents, are tasked with teaching our children. There are so many things that it’s easy to forget or simply not have time to do all, but if there were 8 things that should never be left out, these are it.
All of us want our kids to grow up and be happy and successful. We live in a time in which life can be challenging and even a bit scary. It’s our jobs as their parents to make sure they have everything they need to deal with the world when it’s their time to join in. If you were wondering what some important things were that you should teach your child, here are 8 important lessons.
1. Never take a good person for granted.
We’ve all been in a situation where someone treated us amazingly, and we didn’t return the favor because we took that person for granted. While you may not realize it at the moment, when you look back, you will always regret not treating someone the right way when they went out of their way to be good to you. And good people are NOT a dime a dozen. They come few and far between.
2. Always be grateful for what you have.
Being grateful is the easiest way to train your mind to be geared towards positivity. And in a world full of negativity and a constant thirst for more, it’s important to be able to see and appreciate what is right in front of you.
3. No one will ever complete you-you have to do that yourself.
No matter what that Disney movie told you, your prince charming or princess charming is NOT going to make you happy. Happiness comes from within, and anything else is a bonus. A lot of us were told early on that we NEEDED someone else to make us happy, and then we get older and realize that isn’t the case at all.
4. Don’t do anything you don’t intend on doing the right way.
There is a lot to be said for someone who makes a real effort. Not just in certain things, but in every aspect of your life. Simply being mindful and intentional in your efforts in life can make everything better.
5. Always question.
I always want my child to ask questions. I don’t care if it’s annoying or inconvenient to anyone else, if my child has questions that need to be answered, they have been encouraged to ask. Not just for critical thinking purposes, but also because communication is so important.
6. Good manners.
Good manners go a long way. So, teach your child to say thank you, you are welcome, I am sorry, excuse me, and so on. It’s such a simple thing but makes all the difference in the world.
7. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Instead of teaching my kids to treat people like they treat them, they have been taught to treat people like they would like to be treated. The world can always use a little kindness.
8. Dreams are important.
A lot of people say it’s unrealistic to tell your kids they can be what they want, but I disagree. It’s far more realistic to encourage your child to follow their dreams and use their gifts to live a life of purpose than it is to tell them they are stuck in a life of doing things they hate to make just enough to scrounge by in life. I want more for my kids.