Advice for Your Child

Advice for Your Child

Recently, I was chatting with a friend and my 15-year-old daughter. My daughter seldom takes my advice. She is independent and wants, it seems, to make all her own mistakes, and learn from them (rather than take the advice of some old guy who might know a few things from years of experience alone, not necessarily due to any sort of intellect)! After she left, my friend and I came up with a long list of things that we should teach our children.

These are not earth-shattering concepts. Some seem pretty stupid, but have helped us in the past. They are not necessarily innovative, but they are what we would consider practical or savvy, and will make a difference in their lives and those of others. I was going to present 12 of the ones we came up with, but could not settle for less than a baker’s dozen. So here are your 13.

  • In all things, lead by example not explanation.
  • Stand up to bullies—protect those who are bullied.
  • Marry the girl/boy and you marry their family.
  • Never shake a person’s hand sitting down.
  • Always request a late check out.
  • Play with passion or don’t play at all.
  • Eat lunch with a new kid.
  • When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
  • Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
  • Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface, but paddle like crazy underneath.
  • In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
  • Never turn down a breath mint.
  • Thank a veteran and then do something to make it up to her or him.

We figured that, if our kids could learn and practice these 13 things, they would do OK in life!

Please remember to stay HIMPS! (Healthy, Isolate when possible, Masked, Physically distanced and Safe!).

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