What Loving Parents Need to Teach Their Children (Advice for Kids From 1 to 18 Years Old)

5 years ago

Publicist and religious leader William Channing was correct when he said that raising a kid requires more heartfelt thinking and deeper wisdom than managing a country. The art of child-rearing can be difficult, even for experienced parents, because there are so many things to teach your kids before they grow up. Additionally, you will have to lead by example when showing them the good things and the proper habits that you want them to learn.

Bright Side compiled a list of important and not so obvious things that children of a certain age should know about and should be able to do.

Up to 5 years

How to cope with failures and anger.
How to be able to forgive others and themselves.
How to be able to come to agreements with other kids and even with adults.
To be self-sufficient.

Make sure they know their home address.
Ensure they don’t talk or go anywhere with strangers.
To eat healthy food (and to avoid foods that they are allergic to).

To not feel shy in front of adults and elderly people.
To not be afraid to ask questions if there is something they don’t know.
How to take responsibility for their own actions.

6–8 years

How to make simple food (tea, sandwiches).
To know the emergency numbers.
How to do everything on time.

How to swim.
How to cross the road by following the rules.
To not be afraid to meet new people.
How to behave at the table correctly and be able to use a knife.

How to be able to search for information in books and on the internet.
How to not to say everything that comes to mind, because it could offend someone.
How to protect the environment and take care of animals.
To know their parents’ phone numbers by heart.

9–12 years

How to be able to distinguish needs from desires that disappear quickly.
How to be optimistic, but not to look at the world through rose-colored glasses.
To find a hobby and try to succeed in it.
To dress appropriately.

To know the basics of safe behavior on the internet.
To not to just leave their home keys and money wherever.
To learn to cook more complex dishes, make garnishes, peel vegetables.
To track the time when watching TV or playing computer games.

To do physical exercises.
How to get to the grocery store.
How to be able to use a compass and know how to put up a tent.
To know the birthdays of close relatives.

13–15 years

To be aware of how alcohol and drugs can harm them.
To be able to navigate around the city and avoid dangerous areas.
To use public transportation alone.
To accept their appearance and not just find imperfections in it.

To take care of their friendships.
To know how to express their feelings to the opposite gender.
To say they’re sorry when they’re wrong.
To be able to save money and spend it reasonably.

To be self-confident but not suppress others.
To treat service personnel respectfully.
To understand how depression appears, what consequences it can have, and how to fight it.

16–18 years

To think before making an important decision.
How to solve conflicts.
How to find compromises.
How to be able to risk wisely.
How to watch their weight.

How to calculate their strength.
How to cope with their study load and emotions independently.
How to know their strengths and weaknesses.
How to think about their future and occupation.
To try volunteering as a side job.

To know about safety rules during intercourse.
How to understand their own feelings and the feelings of others.

Do you agree with these pieces of advice? Are you aware of any other tips? We would be glad to hear from you in the comments!

Illustrated by Alena Tsarkova for Bright Side

Comments

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Kaitlyn

5 years ago

Many little kids keep feeling shy in front of elderly people, doesn't matter how much you tell them not to. I guess, it's just a question of time :)

Bilal

5 years ago

I think you need to tell your kids about the harm of the alcohol, smoking and drugs way earlier, than at 13-15 years, but when they are younger, at the age of 8-10. At this age they still take everything their parent says very seriously and the info will stay in their mind and a good warning, At the age for 13 starts the transition age, and many kids prefer to follow the example of their friend and try to look cool, instead of listening to their parents.

Sophia

5 years ago

Agree with all of them, teaching your kid how to make their won decision (and not to make it for them instead) is something every parent should understand and do for their kid.

Claire Wozniak

5 years ago

I think, the explanation of how to understand the feelings of others needs to be done earlier, at the age of 15 or so, when the personality gets formed.