Parenting is hard work, and you will never stop teaching, no matter how old your children get. Although they will be in school for many years, there are so many things they don’t teach in school that you will have to teach your kids at home. This can be stressful, especially for super busy parents with multiple children! Make a list somewhere to help yourself remember all of the things you want to make sure to teach your children about at some point, and be sure to add these 3 things to that list.
Old Age And Dying
This one can be really hard, because it may not even be something you totally understand or are in acceptance of yourself, but it is extremely important to teach your children about aging, death, and dying before anyone in their life (such as their grandparents) reach retirement age or end up in an assisted living facility. If they have some small understanding of it before it happens it will make everything a little easier for them and for you during a tough time. It may seem like a silly idea, but many people get a pet fish or other small animal for their child and then use the pet’s death as a way to teach about it, and this can be effective. Be careful though, as it can also be a little traumatizing.
Diversity And Inclusivity
Teaching your children how important diversity is in the world will go a long way in making them into kind people in society. Teach them about racism, sexism, as well as all of the different genders and sexual orientations. Make sure that they know that it is never OK to dislike someone or make fun of them just because they are different. Show them how to be inclusive of others by being inclusive yourself and if they have questions about this stuff, answer them no matter how difficult they may be.
Nature And Wildlife
Getting out in the wilderness with your kids is an amazing way to teach them about nature, get a little exercise, and also have some fun family time! National Parks are a great place to start if you have any near you, as many of them are very safe to visit even for amateur explorers, and they also often have all sorts of information pamphlets and knowledgeable park rangers who can help teach your little ones even more! This is a really good way to make sure that they respect the earth and grow up caring about animals. Plus, with so much nature out there, you’ll never run out of things to do with your kids!
Deciding what you want to teach your children about or exactly how to do it can be nerve-wracking, but there are certain things everyone should learn when they’re young. Start with the above ideas and then build from there. No matter what, with you as their parent there is no doubt your kids will turn out great.
