For My Boys

Over the past few weeks, many lessons have been taught in my home. So as graduation approaches and the potential for one moving out, I question – have I taught my boys enough? Have I instilled good values in them? Have I taught them to be amazing adults – smart, kind and respectful adults? This was my job as their parent.

After much thought, here are most of the things I want my boys to remember.

• Hold the door open for people.
• Don’t trust everyone. Don’t not trust anyone.
• Be light in your heart and steady on your feet.
• Think before you act.
• Get mad, but don’t get even. Be the bigger person.
• Admit your mistakes and own up to them. And when you make one, learn from it. No one is perfect.
• Share.
• Attitude is everything. Pick a good one.
• Use your manners – please, thank you, and excuse me every day.
• Don’t take advantage of the kindness of other.
• Tell people when you are proud of them.
• Learn to make people laugh without making anyone cry.
• Stand up to bullies by being smart and kind.
• Learn tact.
• Play to win, but play fair.
• When you lose, you learn.
• Show your loved ones your support, even if what they are excited about isn’t what you are excited about.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• Patience and practice will help you do all the hard things you want to conquer.
• Don’t park in a handicapped spot unless you are handicapped.
• Pick up what you saw fall, even if you didn’t drop it.
• Take chances that won’t hurt yourself or others.
• Remember birthdays – especially your mamas.
• Eat your vegetables.
• Take care of yourself – showers, hair cuts, trimmed nails, and shave.
• Ask people how they are doing.
• Learn what basic tools do.
• Smile and make eye contact.
• Put your phone down and talk to people.
• Make your bed.
• Make lists and get things done.
• If you borrow something, return it.
• Learn to give people grace. You never know what someone else is going through.
• If you value something, take care of it.
• Clean up after yourself. Your mama may have done it for you, but it is not your girlfriend or wife’s responsibility.
• Remember to floss.
• Be grateful for what you have.
• The kitchen is not just for girls. Learn to cook (and clean up).
• Use your table manners. Phone down. Napkin in lap.
• Wash your hands.
• If you love someone, tell them. But also know who has trouble saying “I love you” and let them show you instead.
• No one has it all figured out.
• You can’t control everything, You have to let some things go and let life happen.
• To love is to vulnerable, let your guard down.
• Good or bad, you learn from everybody.
• Embrace all of your emotions. Don’t ignore them. Don’t mask them. Embrace them.
• Traveling alone is better than traveling with bad company.
• Unlearning is just as important as learning.
• You don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
• One day you will need to be forgiven so learn to forgive others.
• Never let your inner child die. Always remember to have fun.
• Be so busy improving your life you don’t have time to criticize others.
• Everyone you love will eventually die. Spend time with the people you love.
• No one is a mind reader. Voice how you feel.
• Listen to understand, not to respond.
• You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.
• The best revenge is getting yourself to a place where you no longer care about revenge.
• Always look for the magic.
• There is always something to be thankful for.
• When life throws you a curve ball, hit it over the fence.
• Make good choices. Be a leader.
• Be the kind of person your mama always knew you could be.

Teaching our children is our biggest responsibility – one I take very seriously. I will never stop teaching my children for I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to be their mama, now and always.

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” Jane D. Hull

What lessons are you teaching your children?

xoxo, Jane Anne