Is a good kid a result of good role models? 

Every parent hopes to impart some wisdom on to their children.  What are lessons every kid should know to stay safe and become productive members of our society?

How to be a good driver.

Our kids are watching.  Every time we slam on the breaks to avoid hitting the car in front of us and whisper a less than nice word under our breath, our kids are listening.

You can be a model of a good driver by practicing road safety.  Leave enough space on the highway between you and the car in front of you no matter the road condition.  Okay, so… some cars might pass you, but you’ll be teaching your children that it is important to be safe on the road.  Then, one day when your kids get behind the steering wheel, maybe they’ll remember what you taught them.  Won’t that help give you a little peace of mind when your teenager takes the keys to your car?

The importance of education.

It’s one thing to have a good night’s rest and yet another to finish homework before bedtime.  Having good boundaries around privileges like watching t.v. or playing with friends after homework is completed can help children learn to prioritize getting work done before play.

You can encourage your children with their schoolwork by celebrating good grades as well as small victories like drawing a nice picture or remembering how to correctly spell the words on a spelling test.

How to save money.

The way we shop can impact our children to mimic our shopping habits as they get older.  If we charge more than we can pay off to a credit card, our children learn that it’s normal to live beyond our means.

If we calculate how we spend money and try to live frugally by saving money whenever we can, such as stacking Plastic Jungle discount gift cards with store coupons and store sales, our children learn savvy spending habits.

What are your children learning from your habits?