Life Lessons
As a parent, I know how strong the desire is to do whatever we can for our children. Our deeply imbedded need to try and make their life easy is a tough one to fight. Not that we shouldn't give them what they need, but we shouldn't give them everything they want, or do everything for them as they grow up.
The greatest gift we can give them is to teach them how to take care of themselves. If we don't do this, how will they survive when we are not around? One day they will have to stand on their own, and we have a responsibility to teach them the skills they will need. They should understand that they cannot expect others to take care of them - they will have to be responsible for themselves, and someday their children.
Of course we have to take into consideration their age. Even young children can be taught responsibility and how to take care of themselves. Start with simple things:
The greatest gift we can give them is to teach them how to take care of themselves. If we don't do this, how will they survive when we are not around? One day they will have to stand on their own, and we have a responsibility to teach them the skills they will need. They should understand that they cannot expect others to take care of them - they will have to be responsible for themselves, and someday their children.
Of course we have to take into consideration their age. Even young children can be taught responsibility and how to take care of themselves. Start with simple things:
- Dressing themselves.
- Brushing their teeth.
- Picking up their toys.
- Putting away their clean clothes.
- Helping to clear the table.
As they grow up, the lessons need to become ones that will give them the necessary skills all adults need. The things that will allow them to function as contributing members of their communities. Some basic lessons to convey to your children:
- How to plan a meal and shop for it.
- How to cook - give them the basics and they will be able to expand from there.
- How to open a checking account, and how to manage and balance it.
- Teach them to save before they spend - even if it's only a little at a time.
- How to clean, do laundry and iron clothes.
- How to do basic sewing like hemming pants or sewing on a button.
- Make sure they know how to drive, and to have respect for the privilege.
- How to carry on a conversation in social situations.
- To have respect for others even when your opinions differ.
- How to thrive in the face of adversity.
The parental urge to take care of our children never goes away. We could do it forever, but we would not be helping our children, we would be hindering them. What we teach them now will take them to places in life that coddling never would.
Teach them to soar!!
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