40 Life Lessons for Our Kid(s)

Baby, Banter / / 2 minutes of reading

Recently, there have been more than a few articles going around that are things like “Rules For My Son” and “31 Life Lessons I Want My Daughter to Know”. But why are they different? Should my daughter not know the importance of shaking one’s hand? Or my son not love unconditionally? This is not a list of gender norms or anything of the sort. This is a list of what’s important for what kids should ALL learn growing up regardless of gender.

40 Life Lessons for Our Kids | Bottles and Banter

40 Life Lessons for Our Kids

  1. Never shake a person’s hand sitting down.
  2. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs ain’t one.
  3. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
  4. Act like you’ve been there before.
  5. Request the late check-out.
  6. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
  7. Hold your heroes to a higher standard.
  8. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
  9. Make food your friend.
  10. Don’t fill up on bread.
  11. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look them in the eye.
  12. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.
  13. If you need music on the beach, you’re missing the point.
  14. You marry the partner, you marry their whole family.
  15. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.
  16. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.
  17. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking person in the room.
  18. Never turn down a breath mint.
  19. In a game of HORSE, sometimes a simple free throw will get ’em.
  20. Great clothes are worth 1000 words.
  21. Wear comfortable shoes.
  22. Forget makeup.
  23. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.
  24. Thank a veteran. And then make it up to them.
  25. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.
  26. Eat lunch with the new kid.
  27. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.
  28. Never stop learning.
  29. See it on the big screen.
  30. Give credit. Take the blame.
  31. Love unconditionally.
  32. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but do so wisely.
  33. Failing is one of life’s greatest gifts.
  34. Don’t underestimate the power of stress or sleep.
  35. Your body is a miracle. Love it deeply. Be comfortable in your own skin.
  36. Have fun.
  37. Question everything.
  38. Write down your dreams.
  39. Be happy.
  40. Come home often.