5 Things to Tell My Son

 
Hands
One of my favourite bloggers, Aimee at Greeblemonkey, recently wrote about the rejection she faced from other kids as a child and how that has affected her ability to make friendships as an adult. Comments on Aimee’s post were filled with reader’s stories from childhood.

We all have those painful stories. I clearly remember being the only kid brought home from the Sunday School picnic by my teacher because my friends wouldn’t make space for me in the back of the bakkie that was driving all the cool kids home.

I’m sure you have your stories too, but what really caught me with Aimee’s post was the agony she now feels watching her son Declan face the same rebuffs.

And then I came across an Internet meme the other day that asked, “What five things would you like your child to know before he or she grows up?”

I started thinking about things I’d want Tau to know and ended up wondering how I could possibly boil the list down to five! But I gave it a shot while out on my lunch time walk yesterday.

Here is my list. Some of my points sound really sucky but they are the values I cherish most and want to pass on.

  1. You are not limited by what your father and I think of you or imagine for you. You can and will achieve far more than we can ever hope. Go and DO IT.
  2. You are also not limited by where you are born or raised. You are not defined by the politics, economics or culture of that land. You can go anywhere and do anything you want to.
  3. Understand your place in the world — in relation to God or whatever higher power you believe in, in relation to the world around you and every person around you. Understand that you shouldn’t feel any bigger or smaller than you are by nature. That’ll keep you from having too high or low an opinion of yourself.
  4. There will be times that you feel the need to be part of things — that you find yourself doing and saying things that are out of character to be part of the group. And even though those people seem important to you at the time, they may not be that important five or ten years on. Try by all means to be your own person, to weigh things in your own mind and heart, and place your own measured values above those imposed on you.
  5. Finally, try by all means to give others the benefit of the doubt — except when they are clearly out to hurt you. You may never know what is motivating their bad behaviour but you will benefit by showing that person grace.

Do you have any to add? Guiding principles you’d like to pass on to your kids (or kids you know if you don’t have kids)? Please add your thoughts to the comments below!
 
 

  Email to a friend Email to a friend  Print This Post Print This Post


Posted: March 7th, 2008

Categories: Body, mind & spirit, Kids & family


2 Responses to “5 Things to Tell My Son”

  1. Rhonda says:
    March 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    I like yours; my thinking is very similar to yours. What I am teaching Jordan (he’s 6) is bible-based. All the virtues. To have kindness in his heart. To put others before himself. To listen to that little voice (God) that will guide him when faced with “right or wrong” decisions. To be a man of his word. To treasure life and how precious it is. To remember this planet is a gift from God and to treat everything with respect…flowers, trees, animals–everything. Etc…the list is long. Motherhood is hard work, isn’t it? :o)

  2. Mel says:
    March 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am

    This is sweet. I have preggie diaries where I wrote promises to how I wanted to mother my kids and what I want them to learn. My boy is almost 12 and he is confident and kind (also a naughty shit) so I figure I am on the right track. I LOVE boys, wish I had another.

Leave a Comment:



Share the Sweet Stuff

Get our goodie-packed newsletter and exclusive treats by subscribing to Monthly Sweets!

Your email address:
(privacy protected)
 




Find out how to read us every day and subscribe to our RSS feed.

rss feed


Your Comments





We Belong


I shmaak SA Blogs, sorted with Amatomu.com

Afrigator Badge

sarocks_badge.jpg

Get Your eLuckypacket Badge


View blog authority