GTKY: What do you want to teach your children?

pnwlover12 · January 2015

I thought this might be an interesting topic. What type of life lessons or ideals do you want to instill in your children?

For example, one of my greatest hopes for my kids is that they are able to stick up for themselves and not be afraid to be who they are. I will do everything in my power to make sure they know that they are incredible human beings and not to take shit from anyone.

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

I want to teach my daughter that her value is not determined by a number on her jeans or on the scale. She is to strive to have a strong, healthy, active body. Not a certain number, and not just as skinny as she can get. I want her to see me as a runner, and running because I want to be healthy and strong, not SKINNY.

This is VERY difficult for me. I hope we learn together.

heathera1979 · January 2015

Ooooh, this is a good one. I hope to instill a sense of independence and self confidence.

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

I also want her to know that her worth doesn't come from other people's opinions of her. I have the need for affirmation. I need people to tell me I'm pretty, or that I'm smart, or that I've done a good job. I need to be told I'm the best, or their favorite.

I shouldn't need any of that, because I should already feel that I'm pretty, smart, and have done a great job.

angeltennis3 · January 2015

I want to teach my daughter to have the courage to try new things without the fear of failure, and at the same time understand that success at something doesn't have to mean she is the best, as measured against the performance of others, but success is working hard at something and improving at it over time.

staryb · January 2015

Like @SPurp13‌ I want DD to learn to be healthy and strong without focusing on her weight. This is a toughy as DH and I both struggle with this ourselves.

I also want to teach her to be grateful for the things she has and not dwell on the negative. I want her to know that just because things aren't always perfect doesn't mean that life isn't good. I also don't want her to take the good in life for granted.

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

This sounds harsh, but someone said this once, and it resonated with me.

My kid needs to know she's nothing special to anyone but me. So, I'll think everything she does is amazing, but in the world, she's just one person, so she needs to behave as though she is--meaning, she's an equal, not better than anyone else.

AmandaJean12 · January 2015

I want to teach my daughter that she can do whatever she wants, and I'll be just as proud of her for being a SAHM, as a Dr, as a teacher, as a whatever.

I also want to teach her the importance of sharing time and resources with organizations that help people less fortunate than her. That's huge for us.

swise22 · January 2015

I want DS to be confident and outgoing. I don't want him to feel uncomfortable around other people. I also want him to know how to respect women so he can be a great husband and father one day like his dad (or whoever he decides to love in life).

DreadGamerWife · January 2015

I want to teach her to be strong in herself and to stand up for her choices. I want her to know that she can do anything she wants and that as long as it is moral, I will support her in it. Lastly, I want to teach her to enjoy the simple joys in life.

2goingon3 · January 2015

So many things!!!

1) confidence: I really hope my kids are able to stand up to negative peer pressure.

2) health: I want them to see me and DH being active and eating right, and naturally follow.

3) charity: I want them to understand that they lead a good life made possible by hard work, and in turn, that we pass on a little of our good fortune to those less fortunate by either sharing our wealth and/or our time.

And really, I just want them to grow up valuing our family.

Unknown · January 2015

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Raesofsunshine1 · January 2015

I want my daughters to be tough. To stick up for what they think is right. To be a leader and not a follower. I want them to be confident in themselves and not worry what other people may think of them.

I also want them to learn to be grateful for what they have. We dont have a lot of money and will probably never be rich. But I want them to know that they are so blessed and have so much more than some people. And I want them to be compassionate to those people. Giving to and caring for them.

Jesslynnsell · January 2015

crawford411 said:
I want Sonia to value education, but also teaching others. I want her to know that kindness is the most important thing you can give someone. I also want her to have faith in herself. She can't necessarily do anything, but she can be incredible!

I love that!

I want Noah to be aware of his surroundings and the people and world around him. I want him to constantly be learning wherever he is. I want him to respect himself and others.

ajh1230 · January 2015

I want my daughter to be independent and trust herself so when she grows up she appreciates hard work and doesn't feel like she needs a partner to be complete. I want her to explore the world and value education. I want her to celebrate her achievements but know when to be humble. I hope that she can always talk to me about things and know how loved she is.

StephanieAnnLee · January 2015

I want DS to appreciate what he has and appreciate the value of hard work. I also want him to respect women

2goingon3 · January 2015

This is not necessarily a value, but as a parent, I want my kids to be curious and to explore the world. I can't give them everything, but I want them to grow up having experiences borne of travel. Maybe it comes back to valuing family and truly loving this life.

mrsc928 · January 2015

I want my son to know that your job and how much money you make are not what defines a person. It is about the person you are and how you treat others that matters most.

That it does not matter what others think about you. It is about believing in yourself. I want his confidence to come from within.

Family is everything. He will always have unconditional love from all of us.

Unknown · January 2015

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sabby2 · January 2015

Ooh good topic!

I want dd to learn respect, kindness, and open mindedness.

Klavanga74 · January 2015

So many good things on here...I haven't caught up this morning yet on the whole thread, read through it last night.

So much of what other people said. A lot of what I want to teach her is guided by what I see in my teenage daughter and I have such an appreciation for just how hard it is to teach them these things. They learn a ton from us, but are also so influenced by the world around them, and we can only control that to a point.

Self-respect, honor yourself, do not be apologetic for who you are or what you do. The words "I'm sorry" should be saved only for when you've done something you shouldn't have and you truly are sorry. We women apologize too much for things we shouldn't need to and my daughter does it all the time. I'm constantly telling her not to say she's sorry. I remember my Dad saying, "don't be sorry, do something about it". Own your talents and your beauty...thank God for these gifts that you have and use them not only to serve yourself, but to serve others.

Empathy - although my two older children have taught me that this can only be taught to a point. One child is so naturally empathetic and the other so is not despite our constant talking to her on this. One is an extreme introvert, and I think it's tough for an introvert to be as empathetic.

I want to teach her to learn how to think (as in critical thinking, I think that too much of the way they're taught these days is to spew things back rather than thinking for themselves), and also to work for what she wants as well as work in the house. Oh, and look up...too much time spent buried in electronics these days and I'm totally pointing the finger at myself, too!!

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

jeniece47 said:

I want to teach my daughter to be independent and to value herself. I want her to have a positive self image and the ability to determine right from wrong. I want her to know that she never should need to change herself or compromise her morals to fit in.

Sometimes, I think this is nearly impossible now with selfies and shit. I'm terrified to have a teenage girl.

bumpuser10309732 · January 2015

MrsCunningham22 said:

I want to teach my daughter that she came from a line of very hard working people and each generation has placed a stepping stone for the next one and now its her turn. That education was the key and it is her key. I want her to have empathy, to be socially aware and responsible, I want her to fight for those who can't do it for themselves. I want her to know from where she came from and at the same time for nothing not to limit her dreams or perception of herself. I want her to be proud of who she is and to see beyond any human trait. Last but not least I want to teach her to be color blind but to know that there are some people who are not, and I want her to know her value.

@MrsCunningham22 I think what you said and how you said it is so beautiful!

I want to add to what has already been said that I hope to expose my daughter to all different kinds of people. Where we live, some people never leave their box to realize there's a whole world out there full of rich cultures and so many different kinds of amazing people. Ignorance breeds ignorance out here. Hopefully I can expose her to the world through travel. I also want her to be able to recognize when someone else is being treated unfairly and have the courage to stand up for the injustice of others.

I also feel like a healthy body image is really important so I'm going to not put myself down and pay attention to the things I say in front of her. This also counts for grandma, she's constantly putting herself down and it drives me nuts! Love yourself a little more! At the same token I want her to know that she's not just a pretty face, but she's smart as hell and capable of anything that a man is.

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

I want to teach her that cats are OBVIOUSLY superior to dogs.

If she's allergic, we will have to rehome her.

NavyFlyer · January 2015

Faith and a good old fashioned work ethic!!!

pnwlover12 · January 2015

Klavanga74 said:

So many good things on here...I haven't caught up this morning yet on the whole thread, read through it last night.

So much of what other people said. A lot of what I want to teach her is guided by what I see in my teenage daughter and I have such an appreciation for just how hard it is to teach them these things. They learn a ton from us, but are also so influenced by the world around them, and we can only control that to a point.

Self-respect, honor yourself, do not be apologetic for who you are or what you do. The words "I'm sorry" should be saved only for when you've done something you shouldn't have and you truly are sorry. We women apologize too much for things we shouldn't need to and my daughter does it all the time. I'm constantly telling her not to say she's sorry. I remember my Dad saying, "don't be sorry, do something about it". Own your talents and your beauty...thank God for these gifts that you have and use them not only to serve yourself, but to serve others.

I am so guilty of this. Even I will question why I just apologized for something.

MuffinMom14 · January 2015

I want to teach my kid not to make an online forum her LYFE, because it could all be taken away in a second...

Aarg · January 2015

I want my daughter to know that people will say things, and they may say hurtful things. And that's their own opinion. Because I want her to always be proud of the girl she is/will become. To exude confidence and a never dying kick-ass attitude about how her "disability" will be the greatest way to show her ability to do it all and blow the world away!

Unknown · January 2015

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Aarg · January 2015

dredford said:

Aarg said:
I want my daughter to know that people will say things, and they may say hurtful things. And that's their own opinion. Because I want her to always be proud of the girl she is/will become. To exude confidence and a never dying kick-ass attitude about how her "disability" will be the greatest way to show her ability to do it all and blow the world away!
I don't think we have met (does it count as meeting if it's over the interwebs?) but, I totally just teared up reading this. Your girl is a lucky lady to have you as her mama.

I've been MIA the last couple months since my LO has been here. I haven't had much time for the social media. Lots of doctors visits.
I should probably re-intro

And Thank you! I feel equally as lucky to have her as a daughter. She is my rainbow baby pride and joy!

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