Of all the rules you tried to live by, taught your kids, what are the top five?

Question

Not just philosophical platitudes, things you really believe in. I'm interested in your's.
Here's mine to my daughters.

1. Never turn down the chance to learn something new.

2. Always do the right thing, for no other reason than it's the right thing to do.

3. Sometimes, doing wrong is the right thing to do. Accept the consequences with dignity.

4. Always live below your means.

5. Lieing, cheating and stealing are unacceptable.

My fear has been that I handicapped these girls in living in our modern society.

OUTSTANDING! Thank you.

What a great list. Inspiring by their simplicity.

Answer 1

1. don't trust your instinct

2. always face your fears

3. don't let anyone get in your way

4. don't become what you hate

5. don't be stupid


these aren't exactly set in stone, which is another rule. "don't set your beliefs in stone." another is "give into peer pressure sometimes". it's really part of the "don't become what you hate" rule because i hate when people don't give into my peer pressure. it's really annoying

oh and if someone wants to do something kinda crazy and they think it will be fun, i ussually give it a shot even if i don't feel like it.

Answer 2

When you go out into this world, you go out as a member of this family. If people in our family wouldn't treat someone else like that or people of our family would have not (usually) done something quite that stupid, you should not do it either. If you do not follow this, feedback will be forthcoming in a series of phone calls, text nagging and emails from across the country (that will teach you to get snitty and insist on grandma getting a computer.) A complete set of guidelines, rules, and examples with photos will be reviewed over Thanksgiving dinner. Those not able to make it to Thanksgiving will be updated at Christmas. Anticipate a review of events for family members for the past twenty years.

If you decide to get into a fight for something, know what your goal is so you know if it is worth it and can tell when you are done. You never fight to win, you fight to achieve a goal. Make sure it is a good one and make sure it is worth the losses on both sides before you start.

When you meet someone who is mean, ugly acting, back stabbing, whatever, but they are not doing any harm, then give them quiet space. As my grandmother taught me, always let the wolves howl, then you know where they are. When people get together to talk about other folks they don't know, it is best to just be quiet and step away...and keep an eye out for wolves.

From my same grandmother about sex...you have "A" parts and "B" parts. You can only put them together so many differnt ways so many differnt times, and then you have work to do.

No matter whatever happens in this world, you are my family. There is nothing that you could do that could change that or the love that we have for you. Just as I carry my grandmother, not with my white hair or my wide hips, but with the way I keep the light on in the window and, what you now consider me set and unyielding, I consider a foundation and stability. Now you have become the warrior, and as you make sure the father-in -law has air conditioning in his apartment or that the nephews are fed good food, I see me in you...and your great grandmother. Someday you will make a fine foundation.

Answer 3

1. The golden rule of course: do unto others and you would have done unto you
2. Never talk to strangers ( my daughter ran away from me in a store once when she was3. I then had to tell her about the bad people and that they could take her away. Anyway, we were in the grocery store the day after and right beside a man she said as loud as can be "mommy, that man didn't take me". So, we had to talk about the whole stranger thing from another angle.
3. Even if people are mean to you, you are still to be nice
4. Breathe....when you get overwhelmed...breathe
5. Smile at everyone - a smile can go a long way

Answer 4

Hi, Great Question you asked. I'm 30, and I have no children; but I agree with you teaching your girls to try new things, and to not lie & cheat. I dont think you handicapped them by teaching them values--you just svaed them from hurting others and hurting themeselves in the long run.

Well, I'm a Teacher, and here's what my momma taught me:

1. Never, ever try drugs , not even 1 time.
(I never did try them either).

2. Help others and give, give, give.
(she didnt say that, she just showed me by example)

3. Only the strong survive

4. Never depend on a man; and dont plan your entire life beleiving in the fairytale of marriage lasting forever--people fall in love, and can fall out of love too.

5. Laughter & being downright silly is priceless

..take care!

Answer 5

I told my 3 kids that they were responsible for their actions--up front, no worming out. I taught them all the basics of sewing and cooking and cleaning and washing clothes. They all know how to iron. They knew that anything they did they could discuss with me. They knew I would not tolerate lying, cheating or theft. When you marry it is forever. You work once you are 16 and you do the best you can and you always show up for work and you never make excuses to go play instead of work. I have 3 grown children with great jobs and they are all to be proud of--I also told them Mom is not going to be here to take on your debts or problems you are going to be taking care of me when I get old. They don't but if I hollered they would come running. I told my daughter if she was not going to college to take a mans job to make a living--she did and bought her first house at 22. I also told her if she married before she was 40 she was nuts, not to do it and don't date short men like your dad. she listened and she makes more money than my bros two kids with masters degrees. Proud of my kids think it was them that did it not me.

Answer 6

1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
2. Be respectful
3. Be safe
4. Don't settle
5. Karma is a biotch

Answer 7

Learn as much as possible to make yourself valuable to an employer.

Don't lie, because they pile up and pretty soon you can't remember what to lie about or what lies you've already told.

You have one body to last you the rest of your life. Don't abuse it.

You have one brain to last you the rest of your life. Don't fry it with booze and drugs.

Always be courteous, especially to old folks.

Answer 8

1.) Failure is ok, as long as you grow and learn from it. 2.) It's never "too late". 3.) Every day is a gift...live it wisely. 4.) Be the first one to laugh at yourself. 5.) Family comes first.

Answer 9

Try very hard to be a good person, even when you don't feel like it.

Find somebody in your class who has no friends; be a friend to that person.

Eat everything on your plate.

Don't drink and drive.

Stay away from motorcycles.

Answer 10

1. Take pride in yourself
2. Think for yourself,don't let others lead you wrong
3. Be honest,ling gets you no where
4. Respect others.especially your elders
5. Don't give up, you can do anything you set your mind to