What does the future hold for your children?

Short of inventing a time machine or paying close attention to any psychic predictions you may have heard, you won’t know the answer. But hopefully, they will one day be happy, law-abiding, and successful young adults with a life that is everything that you always dreamed of for them.

Of course, there is much you can do for your kids when they’re young. By bringing them up the right way, and by teaching them important life lessons, you can go some way towards securing a happier future for them.

So, what can you do? Well, we probably don’t need to tell you, as we’re sure you’re doing a wonderful job of parenting your kids already. However, just in case you did need a little inspiration, we think these are just some of the things you can do to safeguard your children’s future. 

#1: Role model good behavior

The way you speak and behave can shape the way your children do likewise, so be mindful of your words and actions. If you want them to speak politely and respectfully to others, be sure to do the same. If you want them to eat their greens, don’t be tempted to empty your quota of vegetables into the trash can. And if you want your children to respect the law, don’t break the law yourself, which means no speeding on the highway, no fiddling your taxes, and no dropping litter when you’re out on the sidewalk. 

If you can role model good behavior, then your children are sure to follow. This will stand them in good stead for the future, as hopefully, they will grow up to be kind, healthy, and law-abiding human beings. 

#2: Encourage good financial habits

Again, this is something you can role model yourself, as if you can show your children how you are saving the money in your possession, it will teach them to be wiser with their own money, now and in the future. You can also teach your children the difference between needs and wants, and why its important to budget money instead of squandering it on things that aren’t essential in life. 

Check out our age-by-age guide on money management for children, and practice some of our suggestions in your home. By doing so, your children will hopefully grow up to have those money skills that will benefit the way they live their lives. They will also be far less likely to ring you up asking for donations from the bank of mom and dad!

#3: Give your children chores to do

Okay, so your children will probably kick up a fuss when you ask them to wash the dishes, mow the lawn, walk the dog, or some other such household chore. However, you shouldn’t give in to their protestations of ‘I can’t be bothered’ or ‘I have better things to do,’ as by encouraging them to help with the chores at home, you will teach them a little bit of responsibility. They will also learn that there are things they have to do in life, and that other people are not going to do these tasks for them. And they will also learn the value of work and reward, especially if those chores also equate to a little extra in their weekly allowance. 

The chores your children do will hopefully mold them into being responsible and hard-working human beings in the future. You can tell them that when they are throwing a tantrum after you have asked them to do something, and if that doesn’t convince them (hint: it probably won’t), you might also use these tips on making housework fun. 

#4: Raise your children’s self-esteem

Many adults have low self-esteem, and this is sometimes because of certain childhood experiences. They may have had parents who put them down and who were overly critical. And they may have had parents who did little to encourage their gifts and talents, and who made them follow paths in life that they weren’t equipped for. As a parent, you obviously need to steer your children onto a better course, so be careful with the words you use when your children make mistakes, and praise them whenever praise is due. And find out what your children’s talents are, and help cultivate them, so your children develop in self-confidence. 

By taking steps to raise your children’s self-esteem when they are young, you will hopefully see the difference in their confidence when they are adults. This will prove useful to them in all kinds of ways, be that at work, at home, and in the lifelong dreams that they pursue. 

So, who knows what the future holds for your children. We don’t, and neither do you, but by following these tips, you can do much to put them on the right path in life. Let us know what you think, and if you have any other suggestions for our mom readers, be sure to share them with us.