When it comes to parenting, it’s certainly one of the best and most important jobs we’re ever going to have, but it’s also pretty scary because often as parents we doubt ourselves at every turn and constantly beat ourselves up. This is even more common today because of things like social media where people are able to portray the perfect family life and make us feel like we’re falling short somehow when it’s actually not even close to being the case.
The thing is: kids don’t come with a rule book. If only, right? Raising them really is about using common sense, and as long as we’re able to provide for their basic needs and give them plenty of love and security, then we can’t go far wrong.
However, we have to remember that raising our kids now is also about preparing them for their lives as adults, and how we raise them will shape how they raise their kids, so although all we can do is our best, there are things we can teach them that are very simple, but are so effective in helping them become functioning members of society when they’re older.
So, in this post, we’re going to share with you some good habits that kids can never learn too early and that will really help them in childhood and as adults.
Good hygiene:
Personal hygiene is important, not only for health and safety reasons, but also for practical and emotional reasons. Teaching things at a young age will help later when they are older. Things like taking them to the dentist will highlight the importance of brushing their teeth daily and it will become a natural habit.
Personal responsibility:
Oftentimes we oversee things because “they’re just kids” and this is fine to an extent, but we also don’t want to be raising precious and spoiled kids who turn into even worse precious adults that think the world revolves around them. It’s important that kids learn about the concept of personal responsibility and are able to admit when they’re wrong. This can be something like when they hit their sibling, something like being able to pick up after themselves. The younger kids learn about personal responsibility the easier your life will be, and theirs as adults.
How to share:
Whether it’s sharing a toy with their sibling, taking turns or allowing a kid to use their bike. Learning to share is a useful life skill that can never be taught too early. When they’re older and facing the reality of the world, they will have to share. It also teaches about things like compromise and equality in relationships and this is never a bad thing to learn.