20 Things I Wanted My Son to Know Before He Left Home
My youngest was home for several days last week as he recovered from foot surgery. As I brought extra pillows and bags of ice into his bedroom, I couldn't help but see a four-year-old with chicken pox needing a Popsicle. He now juggles college, a full-time internship and his own household with friends. But I remember the days of teaching him to drive and how to sort the laundry - two important life skills that were on our list of things for him to know before he left home.
I got to wondering, "What other items were on that list?"
Here, in no particular order:
20 Things I Wanted My Son to Know Before He Left Home:
1. How to clean a toilet and other basic household chores.
2. How to manage a budget. It takes longer to earn money than to spend it.
3. How to care for a pet. (Rats, hamsters, fish, dogs -- we've had them all. And an abandoned litter of kittens for four days.)
4. How to work at an entry-level job where you are answerable to an employer.
5. How to give of yourself, your time, your money and your belongings.
6. Thank-you notes are still important, whether handwritten or sent by email or Facebook. If someone took time to give a gift or do something nice for you, you have time to write a note.
7. Travel outside the United States on a short-term mission trip. Open your eyes, your mind, and your heart to a world beyond what is familiar. (Children's homes in Mexico and Bogota, AIDS education in Uganda, and working with street children in Mozambique are a few of the trips our children have taken.)
8. Vote at every election. Too many people in this country's history have fought for this right.
9. Forgiveness is powerful. Own your mistakes. Learn from them.
10. God created you with a unique design and purpose. Don't waste time trying to be someone else.
11. Eternity is real. People have eternal souls. Remember this. Let it prioritize your life.
12. Participate in a team sport in junior high or high school. Learn how to swim. Learn to ride a bike.
13. Never stop learning. Your grandmother taught herself to swim in her 60's so she could hang out at the pool with you. Your dad added a second career in his 50's. Your mom (that's me!) was the oldest person in a college writing class. Be a lifelong learner.
14. Figure out a way to get paid for something you enjoy doing. If that's not possible, volunteer.
15. Make time for family, including extended family. There will always be something to try to steal this away.
16. Fun and adventure can be found anywhere. Life really is about enjoying the journey, not just reaching a destination. And yes, this might mean running an obstacle course in the mud or soda crackers thrown like ninja stars in the kitchen or sharpie wars down the hallway. (I still want to know who is going to repaint the ceiling?)
17. Pray before you eat. A heart of gratitude is worth cultivating.
18. And pray for help and wisdom. The God of the universe knows more than you do.
19. Learn how to make more than Ramen noodles and Hot Pockets. (I failed miserably on this point with several of your siblings, but at least they knew how to make chocolate chip cookies.)
20. If you marry, marry someone you love the way your dad and I love each other.
So, readers, I'm curious, what is something you were glad you knew how to do before you left home or wished you had known? If you are a parent, what do you want your kids to know?