Is it just me or does anyone else feel that there are plenty of adults out there that could use a little reminder of the classic childhood life lessons? While we’re busy trying to get these life lessons to stick with our toddlers, there are adults everywhere just ruining our message. Thanks a lot, friends. Kids are not the worst. Adults are the worst.
We get it. Kids can be rough. But many of you raised children once too. Don’t you remember what it’s like? It is dirty work and we’re doing our best. So, give us mom’s a break, we deserve it. It is HARD to teach a toddler how to be respectful, how to have patience and how to use manner’s appropriately. It is hard. These are not one-time lessons. These are lessons that we begin teaching our children well before they can even walk and continue teaching well into adulthood. It takes time, it takes a hell of a lot of patience on our end and it takes being willing to lead by example.
So, that brings me to my list of Childhood Life Lessons Rewritten. Rewritten for those adults who so often forget that the manners our mother’s teach us as toddlers are supposed to last a lifetime…
What You Give is What You Get
Essentially, this is the Golden Rule but one step further. It’s not just about actions but energy too. It is an easy concept. It means if you want to be treated nicely, treat other’s nicely, as well. It’s not fool proof but it is a super easy concept.
Think Before You Speak
I won’t say ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ because as adults, sometimes the not-nice thing needs to be said. But it’s all about how you say it. Sometimes reality just doesn’t allow for the ‘nice’ thing to be said but you can control how you say things and the words you choose. So, think before you speak. Little ears are always listening.
Kill them with Kindness
Just because someone else doesn’t choose kindness, doesn’t mean that you have to follow suit. The best way to beat someone? Kill them with kindness. Even when you don’t want too, it is the better choice.
Say Please and Thank You
This is literally the first lesson we’re taught, the first one we teach and it seems to be the first one we forget. Say please and thank you! Say please and thank you. Over say it. Show appreciation. Say excuse me. Say I’m sorry. How is it even possible that my 3-year-old is the politest person I know? I have said the words ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘excuse me,’ and ‘what do you say?’ more times in the last 6 years than I ever thought humanly possible. It’s not for nothing. Throw us momma’s a bone and do the same. Thank you!
Respect All People
As children we were taught to respect our elders and that should absolutely still ring true. But respect doesn’t begin and end with our elders. Respect all people. Every gender, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, age and belief. You don’t have to agree with it all, but you do have to respect it all.
Patience isn’t just a Virtue, it is a Requirement
Patience. Learn it, love it, be it. If you don’t want to wait in the line at Chick-Fil-A, don’t go to Chick-Fil-a. If you hate standing behind kids in the line at the grocery store, go to another line. Be patient with everyone and with yourself too. Patience is a tough one, I know, but if my 6-year-old how can somehow maintain a level of patience, you should be able to figure it out too.
Find Your Poker Face
We shouldn’t judge – that’s a glaring fact but it’s not always realistic. So, instead I’ll suggest that we all find, learn and practice our best Poker Face. Judge away, but keep that crap to yourself. We’re busy teaching life lessons and don’t have the time or energy for open judgement.
Set the Example
You lead by example and we’ll lead the way. Yes, as their mother’s, it is our responsibility to teach our babies manners and show them the way, but it takes a village. And you play a part in that responsibility, as well, whether you believe it or not. Maybe you’re a stranger that we run into in Target, maybe you’re their swim instructor or their best friend’s father. Whoever you are, you have the ability to leave lasting impressions on a child. Make those impressions good ones.
Now, I know, I know – who do I think I am, right? Telling other adults to be nice and kind. The point is, no one should have to tell other adults to be nice and kind and remember simple childhood manners. I know that the little eyes watching and ears listening may not belong to you and it is not your responsibility to teach them the ways of the world, but kindness and all the good that comes with it? I think we all have a responsibility to one another to be kind.
When a child struggles to say please and thank you, that child gets a sweet reminder from his or her mother to do so. That child is still learning. So, this list? This list is just a friendly nudge, on behalf of mother’s everywhere, to remember what your mother taught you. Please and Thank You.
Mommy Diatribes
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