born, that she was going to be a handful—call it
Mother's intuition. As a highly creative child, and
sometimes too smart for her own good, it was
important to give her the most important guiding
principles by which to live a great life and use her
gifts for good. I figure by the time she's repeating
some of these same phrases back to me, I'm doing
something right:
1. You can do anything you put your mind to.
Children are like sponges—they soak up whatever
you tell them, good or bad. Depositing positive
words into them when they're young helps to set
them up for long-term success. Since she was a
toddler, I have told my 10-year-old daughter that
the words "I can't" are not allowed in her
vocabulary. When trying to figure out how to pay
for something she really wanted that I wasn't
willing to buy for her, she decided to start a
business that has now allowed her the freedom to
make money for some of the things she wants,
while teaching her that anything is possible when
you put your mind to it.
2. Accountability, not excuses. We live in a world
where "accountability" is passed around like a hot
potato—it's always someone else's fault. Teaching
your child when they're young to take
accountability for their actions without making
excuses gives them a solid foundation for success.
It helps them learn to make a way out of no way,
regardless of whatever odds may be against them.
3. I'm proud of you. Sometimes we're so busy
disciplining and teaching our children, we forget to
give them credit when credit is due. It's important
that you acknowledge the things your child is doing
well. Those words of encouragement go a long way
in pushing them to do their best.
4. I love you. If you're like me and grew up in a
household where those words were hardly ever
spoken, this may be hard for you. However, I
decided that once I became a parent, I would never
go a day without my child hearing those three little,
but critical words. Although they say actions speak
louder than words, sometimes words need to speak
for themselves.
5. If you treat money right, it will treat you
right. Unfortunately, the topic of money is not one
that is often talked about in many families. I've
made money mistakes, that had I known what I
know now, I would be in a different place. I have
vowed to teach my daughter about money and how
to use it. When she makes money from her
business, we have four envelopes the money goes
into: Give, Save, Spend and Invest. With all of the
resources out there, there's no time like now to
teach your child good money habits while they're
still young.
6. Say "Thank You." Gratitude is one of the most
important keys to happiness. It teaches children not
to take things for-granted. Anytime my child
receives a gift, the next day, I have her sit down
and make Thank You cards for everyone who gave
her a present—no e-mails. Even when she receives
compliments, she has learned to automatically say
"Thank You." I want to teach her that gratitude
multiplies the blessings of the giver.
7. Ask for help. Too often, as adults, we find
ourselves trying to juggle every single thing on our
plate without taking the time to ask for the help we
so desperately need. This causes us to have short-
tempers, stress-related illnesses and resentment that
builds up and hinders our progress. It's important
for children to learn early that, although there are
some things they can and should do on their own,
they should also know it's okay to ask for help.
8. Be faithful in the little things, then you'll
show that you can be trusted with more. My
daughter has begged me for a dog since she was
four. Given that she leaves a trail of her things
around the house (and every other house she visits)
and doesn't like to clean up, I have told her that
she's not ready for a dog because Mommy certainly
won't be the one to clean up the poop! It's
important for children to learn that they need to
first be responsible with the little things that
they've been entrusted with so that they can then be
trusted with more. The sooner they learn that's how
the real world works, the better.
9. God makes anything possible. Although it's
important to separate reality from delusion, it's
even more important for kids to know that when
they're committed to something and have done
everything in their power to make it happen, then
it's time to step back let the Creator do what He
does best. Because through Him, all things are
possible.
As with anything you tell your children, you need
to make sure that they're seeing you live out these
principles in order for them to take them to heart
and to know that indeed, you're practicing what
you preach.
What are some of the most important principles
you've taught your children to set them up for
success?
Culled from Blackandmarriedwithkids
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