I knew that becoming a parent meant that someone else’s life would essentially be in my hands. Just think about it – you’re in charge of someone else’s well being. It’s a lot to take in. But, it’s become second nature in these last few years. Now that Princess is getting older, we often have pretty deep conversations. I find myself sharing important lessons I learned growing up. Some lessons were told to me as a child by my mom. Other lessons were things that I learned from my own experiences.
The goal is to teach my kids important lessons to help them make the right decisions and avoid pitfalls I see many people succumb to in life. I know that my kids are going to make mistakes along the way, and that’s okay. I just hope they learn from them, and turn those mishaps into positive things.
That said, the first lesson for my kids – be thankful.
Ever since Princess was a baby, we’d say “please” and “thank you.” We talk about the importance of being thankful for our family, friends, and health etc. It makes me smile whenever someone pays her a compliment, and she responds by saying “thank you.” It lets me know that it’s sinking in.
Even though her little brother can’t speak, he expresses his gratitude in other ways. He rewards us with hugs and kisses to show his gratitude. It’s a small gesture, but it sure goes a long way.
