We are the first teacher of our children, their role model and their guide. So sometimes we don’t discuss the beliefs, skills, and ideas that we want our children to have-we’re only doing it and we hope they’ll take it.
Have you ever sat down and really been thinking about what you are going to tell your kids?
- How to stand up for themselves.
- How to say No and mean it.
- How to cook a meal, cupcakes, soup and eat healthy.
- How to ride a bike.
- To be curious.
- How to read and why reading for pleasure is truly valuable. To read something every day.
- How to tie their shoes.
- How to tell time.
- How to write and create/tell stories.
- How to wash, fold and iron clothes.
- How to study.
- How to clean up after themselves.
- How to make friends.
- How to prevent being taken advantage of.
- To be generous and kind and empathetic.
- To share.
- To eat healthy, exercise and lead an active lifestyle.
- To avoid television.
- To think for themselves.
- To use their imagination.
- How to curse (better me than someone else!)
- How to compromise.
- To set goals and accomplish them.
- How to dust.
- How to use the computer, the internet and social media responsibly.
- How to give with true generosity.
- How to receive compliments graciously.
- To read poetry.
- To listen and love music.
- To never accept being mistreated or abused – physically, emotionally or mentally.
- To explore.
- Personal grooming.
- To read and love Shakespeare, Hemingway and Pablo Neruda.
- To love, respect and obey me and their father always.
- To dance.
- To Zumba.
- To hold a baby, nurse a kitten and remove spiders from the house without killing them.
- To count backwards.
- To always look where they are going.
- To be confident.
- To question authority.
- To question me and their father.
- To play the piano/guitar/violin/flute or some musical instrument.
- To wear dresses, high heels, make up and jewelry.
- To apply make up so that it looks fresh, flawless and natural.
- To maintain a healthy weight.
- To read the classics and the Greek mythologies
- To open their own jars.
- To seek no one’s approval but their own.
- To trust their own judgement.
- To appreciate the diversity of their heritage.
- To respect and be respected.
- To embrace others’ differences.
- To judge not.
- To open doors for pregnant ladies, give their seats up for the elderly and to let the car on the side cut in front.
- To be courteous.
- To have but control their tempers and emotions.
- To blow up balloons.
- How to throw a dinner party, throw out a cheating boyfriend and throw off bad vibes from those who are envious, jealous or just plain mean.
- How to take photographs.
- How to draw and sketch.
- How to do yoga.
- How to pray.
- How to fast.
- How to forgive while not forgetting.
- How to be safe.
- How to earn and manage money.
- How to grow plants and take care of pets.
- How to travel and explore the marvels of this world.
- How to be happy.
- How to tie a tie, fix a flat and replace a lightbulb.
- How to play soccer.
- How to live in New York City.
- How to listen.
- To think for themselves.
- To drive a car.
- To parallel park, to shop, to rent a flat.
- To do maths.
- To buy comfortable and good looking shoes.
- To get a job.
- To quit a job.
- To overcome obstacles.
- To treat others with love, dignity and kindness.
- How to kick butt when necessary.
- How to swim, sky dive and snorkle or at least have the confidence to do any of these.
- How to peel potatoes, apples and oranges without cutting their fingers.
- To remember their origins.
- To imagine and dream.
- To go to college and succeed.
- To grow old gracefully.
- To drink responsibly.
- To pick themselves up every time they fall or are knocked down.
- To fight back and win.
- To always consider the other’s perspective.
- To be a good sister.
(This is an ongoing list…I have been adding to it as they grow. I’d love to hear what others think and suggestions to add.)