If you could give just one piece of advice...

[neosenate]

...to your son/daughter/grandchild/future generations, what would it be?

My first son or daughter arrives in October and I feel like I've got so much (albeit probably useless) advice to pass on I don't know where to start.

So if you could only pass on one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

 

[Doc4]

Hopefully I can pass on a good example of an honourable life well lived.

 

[Dustinl]

I would say to never let an opportunity slip away.




DL

 

[Not4you]

slow is smooth, smooth is fast ... hopefully my kid grows up to race cars.

 

[slcsteve]

Shut up - Sit down.

Don't ever co-sign a loan for anyone.

 

[luvmysuper]

Don't blindly follow authority, question everything, but do so silently.
Act on your convictions after quiet deliberation.

 

[krissy]

Treat everyone with respect and not to judge people because of the way they look or dress. They might miss out on meeting someone wonderful.

 

[Doc4]

"There's a time and a place for everything, and it's called College."

 

[Kratos]

Trust your instincts. If something is setting of your brain's silent alarms, there's a reason for it.

 

[ssilcox]

Be a man (or woman ) of your word.

 

[ogopogo]

wear comfortable shoes

 

[Sue]

Advice is not always appreicated, especially as your child gets older; preaching falls on deaf ears. Teach quietly by example. Kids are like sponges, they take in everything whether good or bad. They are watching you constantly even if you don't know it.

i.e., to teach honor and integrity - conduct yourself honorably and with integrity.

My 2 cents. Here's a poem I like that has been around for a long time.
Sue

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Children Learn What They Live[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with criticism, they learn to condemn.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with hostility, they learn to fight.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But do not despair ... [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with tolerance, they learn to be patient.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with encouragement, they learn confidence.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with praise, they learn to appreciate.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with fairness, they live with justice.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with security, they live to have faith.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with approval, they learn to like himself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a child lives with acceptance and friendship.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]they learn to find love in the world.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]—[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dorothy Law Nolte [/FONT]​

 

[holiday]

never water another mans whisky

 

[TimmyBoston]

Know yourself.

 

[FreezerBurns]

Don't eat yellow snow.

But seriously:
Stick to basic virtues: honesty, loyalty, courtesy, and faith.

Do the best that you can to be a good example to those who surround you. They will in turn follow your example and look to you for advice and guidance. With faith, you'll be able to stay strong and tenacious in any given situation. If you stick to your basic virtues, you'll never let anyone down, including yourself.

(in a nutshell)

 

[Leche]

I pray that my kids are self reliant and fully understanding of personal responsibility. Honor, devotion, and courage guide them. A love of God and Country. The will to risk, to learn, and to push themselves. To love and respect the outdoors. And my son wet shaves with a straight!

 

[marvin100]

You can never change anyone; the best you can hope for is to be either a good example or a horrible warning.

(that said, we all change each other all the time--if only in seemingly innocuous ways--but we can't particularly control the way it happens.)

 

[40_Caliber]

When my daughter was born it was the best day of my life. Words cannot describe it.

Do your best to guide his/her steps. You will make mistakes in this but you will also grow as your child does. The very best part of this adventure is that you won't really know how they turn out until it's almost over. Success or failure is all about the values and examples that you set.

.40

 

[ratcheer]

...to your son/daughter/grandchild/future generations, what would it be?

My first son or daughter arrives in October and I feel like I've got so much (albeit probably useless) advice to pass on I don't know where to start.

So if you could only pass on one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

Tell the truth.

Why? It covers so many areas of life where major or minor problems occur when large or small lies are created, usually to either hide guilt or to wrongly influence others. IMHO, truth lies at the heart of morality.

Tim

 

[ratcheer]

Don't blindly follow authority, question everything, but do so silently.
Act on your convictions after quiet deliberation.

That is excellent advice.

Tim