The following is largely taken from a comment I left here yesterday on a discussion thread which I thought was worthy of a post of its own.
I don't profess to be a perfect parent and I thank Zeus that I have a wife who is about the best mother any kid could hope to have. In any event, these are the values that we try to instil in our kids:
1. Treat other people the way you want them to treat you (a philosophy that existed for thousands of years before the supposed birth of Jesus). Basically, be kind to others. [They seem to follow this principle with third parties but not with each other. If you have read Robert Wright's The Moral Animal, you will know that this is perfectly normal behavior for siblings.]
2. Be kind to animals. There is no need to even kill an insect unless it is going to harm you.
3. Life isn't fair. This is a tough one.
4. If you try your best, there is nothing in the world that you can't accomplish. "Don't say you can't, when I know that you can".
5. Be generous - It feels good to help others and expect nothing in return.
6. Many people in the world (heck, most of the people in the world) are not as fortunate as you are. You need to remember how lucky you are and to help the less fortunate whenever you can.
7. Don't believe anything just because someone tells you. [Admittedly, this is a lesson that will evolve as they get older. Our youngest child still believes in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and, apparently, something called God.]
8. Don't let anyone take advantage of you or bully you. Be willing to stick up for yourself if necessary. [I learned long ago that turning the other cheek to a schoolyard bully may not be the best strategy.]
9. You are no better than anyone else and noone is better than you. [My hope is that they will be as comfortable in the company of peasants as kings.]
10. Reduce, reuse and recycle. [We really need to instil in our kids that we are stewards of the earth.]
11. Live your life to the fullest. Dance on the surf while you can. Stop and smell the flowers. Explore. Discover. Learn. Run that race. Climb that mountain. Give that speech. Play that game. Meet new people. Take that trip. Read that book. Write that book. Love and be loved. This is the only life you get so make the most of it.
If the above amounts to indoctrination, I am guilty as charged.
Are you trying to give Dotard a panic attack?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this as it appears you put some thought into these "commandments". And guess what the best part is? You got 11 instead of 10. Strength in numbers, AM.
There should be an 11th commandment inserted into the next version of the Holy Book. It will read:
11. If you commit any of the above sins, commit them all and do it often as salvation for one might as well be for 100.
I am putting this on my fridge. Thank you,
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