The number one rule in my house- Question everything, especially authority.
Our moral code is the golden rule. We have open discussions about anything and everything. I never lie to them, even about the tooth fairy/santa (my daughter is "anglostic" about fairies). I want them to trust what I say, and I shoot them straight. If I don't know the answer to their question, I don't make shit up to fill in the gap. We look it up, and if no answer can be found then I tell them the question they've asked is unanswered. We talk about everything from sex from a biological standpoint (they're really young), to what marijuana is, and why it's stupid that its illegal. I want them to have a keen understanding of the world so that there isn't much shock when they're thrust out into it. Because of this, my son (7) and my daughter (5), can tell you every Republican nominee, how old the earth is, quote Carl Sagan, and burp the alphabet. We have a lot of science talk in my house too. Can't have enough of that!
Most parents, I've noticed, think it disrespectful when they tell a child to do something and the child asks "why?". I encourage my kids to ask why, and view it as a learning opportunity. If you tell a child why you want him/her to do something, the next time, they won't wonder and they'll understand. Understanding is one of the most important things you can ever teach your kids, IMO. Failure at school, and laziness with studies is simply not an option. They can be what ever they want to be, say whatever they want to say, and they know mom loves them, no matter what.
I encourage their imagination, and show them that there are plenty of realities to imagine and wonder about.
Our moral code is the golden rule. We have open discussions about anything and everything. I never lie to them, even about the tooth fairy/santa (my daughter is "anglostic" about fairies). I want them to trust what I say, and I shoot them straight. If I don't know the answer to their question, I don't make shit up to fill in the gap. We look it up, and if no answer can be found then I tell them the question they've asked is unanswered. We talk about everything from sex from a biological standpoint (they're really young), to what marijuana is, and why it's stupid that its illegal. I want them to have a keen understanding of the world so that there isn't much shock when they're thrust out into it. Because of this, my son (7) and my daughter (5), can tell you every Republican nominee, how old the earth is, quote Carl Sagan, and burp the alphabet. We have a lot of science talk in my house too. Can't have enough of that!
Most parents, I've noticed, think it disrespectful when they tell a child to do something and the child asks "why?". I encourage my kids to ask why, and view it as a learning opportunity. If you tell a child why you want him/her to do something, the next time, they won't wonder and they'll understand. Understanding is one of the most important things you can ever teach your kids, IMO. Failure at school, and laziness with studies is simply not an option. They can be what ever they want to be, say whatever they want to say, and they know mom loves them, no matter what.
I encourage their imagination, and show them that there are plenty of realities to imagine and wonder about.
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