1,098,848 Things I Want To Teach My Children

I have a long list of items to teach my children. They already know how to do some of these things but it doesn’t mean they can’t expand or improve upon their skills.

This list is incomplete.

1. Laugh, love and learn always and forever.
2. Never forget to hold your friends and family close to you.
3. A good hug can change your day. Everyone needs a hug. We all need to touch and be held.
4. The majority opinion is not always right nor the most moral/ethical.
5. Some things are worth fighting for and some are not. The hard part is discerning which is which.
6. You can never read too many books but you must always supplement your reading/education by doing.
7. Travel and interact with the world around you.
8. Learn to speak more than one language.
9. Play a team sport and learn how to be a team player.
10. Understand that life is a journey and that half the fun is indeed getting there.
11. Life is filled with moments, some good and some bad. Just remember this too shall pass.
12. If saying goodbye doesn’t hurt than whatever it was probably wasn’t worth much.
13. Take pictures of friends, places and loved ones. They’ll help preserve some great memories.
14. Try not to grow up too quickly. Childhood is but a short time.
15. Look for magic.
16. Remember that you may not always agree with your parents but we are looking out for your best interests.
17. Don’t be afraid to fail.
18. Some people will rain on your parade and make fun of your dreams. Ignore them.
19. There is a difference between a hand up and a hand out. Learn the difference.
20. Sometimes it is better to do first and ask for forgiveness later.
21. Learn how to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner.
22. Learn how to do laundry.
23. Change a tire.
24. Balance a checkbook.
25. Become computer literate. (In concept this should happen just because of your age, but some things shouldn’t be left to chance.
26. How to write a letter and tell a story.
27. How to disconnect from electronics and just be.
28. How to live without having every moment of the day programmed for you.
29. How to network/play/communicate without electronics.
30. Be resourceful. Adapt, overcome.
31. Basic math skills so that you know how to figure out tips, discounts and more. You’d be surprised how many adults don’t know how to do these things well.
32. Be accountable. Own your triumphs, victories and mistakes.
33. Apologize. (Dear old dad hates having to say sorry, but I have improved with age and life is often better when you can look someone in the eye and say you are sorry for screwing up.
34. When to walk away and when to run. The Gambler offered some real advice there.
35. Change a tire.

Sum it up  and I want my kids to be productive members of society who can take care of themselves. I want them to know how to go along to get along as well as to know when to say no and stand up for themselves.

And to remember I will always have their backs. That doesn’t mean I won’t give tell them when I think they have made a mistake because sometimes they’ll need to hear it from me.

And though it might sound like a contradiction, there might be a time where I will help them fix their mistake. Doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be held accountable, just that sometimes people need help fixing things so they can stand up and move on again.

What else should be on this list?