No matter what your cultural or religious background is, there are some life lessons that are universal.
These are values that everyone shares. They often revolve around the themes of love, respect and humanity.
There are also many values related to the practical side of life.
As a parent, you want to impart these important values as early as possible. You can weave them into daily occurrences, bedtime stories or just during regular conversations.
Here are some important life lessons you can consider teaching your child.
Every Human is Valuable
This may sound like a rather mundane fact but it really affects the way your child view those around them.
Teaching them this basic principal will help them develop respect for everyone regardless of their backgrounds and jobs.
It will help them avoid things like discriminating others, bullying or other undesirable behaviours later on in life.
Additionally, it is important to let them know that a person’s worth should not be measured by their wealth, success, physical traits or any other worldly standards.
Honesty is One of the Best Life Lessons
Children may tell lies for a number of different reasons.
For instance, they may be afraid of punishment after committing a mistake.
Let them know that lying will get them into a more complex and toxic situation as compared to telling the truth.
Furthermore, you may want to consider rewarding truthful and transparent behaviour.
As parents, the best way to encourage them to tell the truth is to set a good example.
This means telling them the truth and being as transparent as possible in your relationship.
You may need to simplify certain concepts, but explaining things to your kids will strengthen your bond together.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution Pays Off
As children grow up, they’re bound to get into a tiff with siblings or with friends. One important thing to stress is for them to avoid violence and aggression in such a situation.
Instead, teach them to communicate and share. Solutions are much more stable if they’re reached by peaceful means.
However, at the same time, you should also teach your child to recognise when they’re being bullied. This goes beyond regular conflicts and your child should know where to ask for help.
Keep an open channel of communication with them so that you can recognise any red flags too.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Children should be thought boundaries, and to differentiate between their needs and wants.
They have to learn that there are some things they cannot have for a variety of reasons.
Additionally, younger children should be taught not to snatch things that don’t belong to them.
Explain why they cannot have what they want or that they cannot get their way. Often, these items either don’t belong to them or aren’t good for them.
In some cases, it is important to learn how to share or compromise.
Achievements Require Hard Work
One of the most basic lessons for your children to learn is that some things require hard work.
You can start by assigning them simple household chores, and preparing a small reward for them if they finish these chores successfully.
You should also reinforce positive school achievements like good grades or sporting wins.
Encouraging your children that effort and hard work pays off is not limited to just academic achievements, but in every other aspect of life as well.
Sound Financial Management and Literacy
You may thing that children are too young to know what money and financial management is. However, it is never too early to start.
When they’re very young, you can begin with very simple concepts. For example, you should instil in them that items at the store have to be bought, not just taken.
When they get older and know numbers, you can teach them to compare prices before purchasing, and teach them the value of money.
For instance, on how much different things cost. Build up from there and teach them about savings by starting a piggy bank.
As they approach their teens, you can introduce them to more complex concepts like credit cards, bank accounts, investments, budgeting and so on.
Although these concepts may sound irrelevant to some, they will become very useful when your children reach young adulthood.
You Are Loved
As a parent, it is good to impart to your children that they do not need to earn your love.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t teach them to work hard and achieve things in life.
However, it is important for them to know that you will love them no matter what they have or have not achieved.
In short, your love for them is not tied to them reaching a certain standard in life.
This is important to build a strong self esteem and confidence, as well as good mental health later on in life.
Give your children hugs often and tell them you love them.
It is Okay to Make Mistakes
Contrary to popular belief, allowing your child to make mistakes and learn from them is a very effective teaching tool.
They should know that failure is something common, and they can always pick themselves up and try again.
Additionally, it helps to teach your kids to face the consequences of their mistakes too.
This doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be punished for bad behaviour. Rather, it focuses on the instances when they’ve tried something but it didn’t work out the way they expected, or they’ve made a mistake accidentally.
In times like this, it is crucial to let them know that it is not the end of the world and they can always try again, try something else, or be more careful.
Having Dreams and Ambitions
Encourage your child to have dreams and pursue them. Even if these dreams and ambitions change throughout their growing up years, they’re still worth pursuing.
Also, children should be allowed to try different things as they’re growing up to see what makes them happy and gives them fulfilment.
This will help them decide what they want to do when they grow up.
It also means giving them space to discover themselves, especially what they’re strong points and weaknesses are.
It is important not to impose your dreams on them, but allow them the freedom to pursue their own happiness.
Responsibility and Time Management
Starting your child on a schedule when they’re young instils discipline and is one of the important life lessons they need.
This means setting boundaries so they know that certain tasks have time limits.
Additionally, they should learn that there is a time for everything, including for work , play and rest.
Maintain a Balance with Life Lessons
The core objective of imparting life lessons to your child should be to guide them to be good, well functioning adults.
Therefore, a holistic approach is the best so that your child can develop spiritually, physically, emotionally and academically too.
You’ve got this, parents!
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!