Teach your children. . .

1.   How to greet and shake hands - they will appreciate knowing how to tilt the hand flat, move it in while standing tall, tilt it 90 degrees back while creating a firm grasp, look the person in the eyes in a friendly manner and put them at ease by using their name.
2.   How to prepare a meal - they will love chopping, prepping and cooking.  And everything will taste better.
3.   How to wash clothes - Invaluable
4.   How to iron pants and a button-down shirt - Sure, the cleaners do a better job, but when they start out, some spray starch and a decent iron will work just fine.
5.   The basics of public speaking - there is no substitute for knowing your subject and what you plan to say.  NEVER wing it.  Don't smirk while speaking, don't close your eyes while making a point and don't break into a laugh at something you said.  Look at people throughout the audience and speak clearly, not invoking a mimic of someone else's voice or accent.  Use your voice and project.
6.   To appreciate reading - the love of books will almost guarantee success in life.
7.   The importance of conversation - conversation is not slinging insults at one another; it involves a give and take, point and counterpoint about subjects.  Facts are useful.  It shouldn't always be about feelings.
8.   To read news sources - magazines, newspapers, blogs.  Like book reading, it is habit forming. 
9.   An appreciation of different kinds of music - not just hip hop but not just country either.  Some rock, jazz, standards and great music as well.  The earlier they start, the easier it is to work with them.
10. How to write well - by reading good writers, by editing, by using others to review your work, and by thinking about subjects and outlining thoughts.
11. To think for themselves - not just what they think, but why they think it and how they arrived at the conclusion, rather than how their friends did.

 

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