We all want our kids to be healthy, happy, and successful. But the future is uncertain, so you have to equip them for the challenges ahead. Here are three ways to do it.
It Starts with the Basics
As parents, one of the best things we can do for our kids is provide them with the tools they need to succeed both in the present and during the rest of their lives. The more they learn from us, teachers and educators, and other creditable sources of knowledge, the better equipped they will be to handle all challenges thrust upon them once they enter society.
But what does that mean exactly? What kind of tools should parents give their children? Answers may vary depending on whom you ask. Still, it starts with basic abilities like self-hygiene and cleanliness. It also includes fundamental communication skills, respect for others, community awareness, and the ability to drive.
For instance, one useful thing all parents could do is encourage their kids to take a DMV TLSAE course as soon as they turn 14 and learn how to handle a vehicle. Not only is this a mandatory class for new drivers in most states, but it will also teach them the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances at a young age.
You never know. It might help them make the right decision in the future, a decision that will save their lives.
Their Lives, Not Somebody Else’s
Hollywood star and comedic genius Jim Carrey once said, “your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”
As obvious and straightforward as this might sound, we only have one life. And the time we possess on this earth is not unlimited, no matter what we do or how much science and technology evolve. Yet, many people fail to understand this. Instead of taking advantage of their skills and doing what they are passionate about, they put enormous amounts of effort into pleasing others and being liked. And when it doesn’t happen, when their effort is not returned, they become bitter.
Of course, no man is an island, and we live in societies that require certain decorum and behaviors that allow us to co-exist with others. But that doesn’t mean we should lose ourselves in the unwinnable battle of external appreciation and respect. It should start within ourselves, and most importantly, it should begin at the earlier stages of our lives.
It is our responsibility as mothers and fathers to teach our kids that who they are is good enough. Actually, it is great. As long as they respect others and treat them with kindness, there is no need to hide. There is no need to become somebody they are not.
Healthy Body and Mind
We cannot control everything our kids do. Regardless of how much we try to teach them the right moral values or how many courses we enroll them in, their future decisions will have to be made independently. It is especially true once they move out of the house, and we cannot monitor every single action they take.
Parents need to understand that if their daughter becomes an exceptional lady, it is partly because of them, but the credit also lies with her. Likewise, if their son decides to turn himself into a criminal, maybe they are also at fault, but so is he.
Still, there are certain things mothers and fathers can do to maximize the probability of success in their children. Arguably the most important one is doing whatever is in their power to make sure they are healthy in both body and mind.
They don’t have the money to buy whatever they want. The food they eat is our choice. It is also us who can enroll them in physical education classes, sports clubs, and weekend activities. Finally, parents can take the time to talk to their kids when they are sad, angry, or depressed and do what is in their means to help them get through it.
Physical and mental health is the basis for everything else. Thus, it is the greatest gift we can give our little ones.
Three ways to raise great kids are granting children the tools they need to make the right decisions in life, teaching them about the importance of self-confidence and following your dreams, and providing them with a healthy physical and mental upbringing. By doing these things, we will be giving them a head start in life, one that will ultimately lead them to prosperity.
