What's the most important thing you have already taught or will teach your children?

Question

What's the most important thing you have already taught or will teach your children?

Answer 1

god and love

Answer 2

Manners. My 4 1/2 yr. old daughter and 2 yr. old son always say Thank You and Please as well as Excuse Me when they burp or need to talk to me when I'm chatting with a friend.  

Answer 3

I have taught my children to have pride in who they are, if one of them says something mean I tell them that [our last name] don't talk like that.  

Answer 4

Empathy.  My children are still very young but they have learned this important skill.  With this skill they have learned about sharing and taking turns.

Answer 5

I must add to Emily's answer, because not only have I taught my child to not get in a car or go anywhere with someone she does not know, but even with a friend's daddy or a neighbor she knows.  As we have read from news stories, sometimes a child knew her attacker.  As to strangers, we have also taught her that if a stranger says to come help look for a lost puppy - that adults would not ask a child to help but would go to the police for help.

We have also taught her that if one of her friends wants her to do something she knows is bad, and if the friend says "well then, you're not my friend", that it's okay to still say no, because a true friend will never make you do something that is wrong.  This has happened to her on a few occasions and my daughter has stood up for what she knows is right, and hasn't lost a true friend yet.

We have taught her that the police are her friends, drugs and alcohol are bad, and that Jesus loves her.

All these lessons were not a one-shot-deal, as they all need to be repeated and discussed in more detail as she grows.  She is 12 now, and has already shown good judgment in many situations.  

It's a shame, but my husband and I believe that children need to be aware of the dangers in the world and how she can avoid dangerous situations, and how to defend herself if she has to.  We have watched Dateline Predator with her to show her the dangers of the internet.  We have discussed how we have seen our friends destroy their lives with drugs and alcohol.  And, we teach her how to get herself out of bad situations.  We've taught her about STD's, too, and all that goes with the subject of s*x, without making it sound evil or bad.

We've also taught her that everyone can be beautiful, all people are created equal, and to have an open mind.  We've taught her sympathy and empathy, and respect - for people, animals and the environment.

So, I guess there's not just one important lesson to teach, it's many.

Answer 6

An open mind.

I think that's the most important thing a person can have. From openness comes respect, trust, love, and friendship. I'm planning on teaching my children all about this.  

Answer 7

Manners, respect, independence

Answer 8

A Code Of Ethics

Answer 9

NEVER EVER EVER

go with someone you dont know, no matter what they sa to you. Do not go with them or get in a car with them.

Answer 10

Stay away form strangers, don't trust people you don't know, respect others and the environment, be kind to animals, take responsibility, cleanliness is next to godliness, and always look both ways before you cross the street!