Three things

Cooper and I have been playing around with an idea for awhile. We want to write a book on parenting. We're still keeping the idea a bit close to the chest because we have a lot of writing ahead of us, but we're pretty excited about it, and are looking forward to sharing more details as the project unfolds.

As part of our research, we've been sending email questions to parents across the country. Our first question had to do with what parents hope to instill in their kids in the long run ... the values and traits and skillsets, that kind of thing.

Here's the coolest thing. We sent our email questions to everyone in our address books, but then they sent our questions on to their lists. So we heard from tons of people with young children, but we also heard from ones with older kids, and we heard from the grandparents. Receiving feedback from the same family, through multiple generations and the inlaws was just way beyond what we expected.

The other surprise was that everyone answered the first question differently. We were expecting to see lots of common responses to the question about values and traits, but the answers were all over the map. All inspiring and all unique.

So, let's throw the question out to the universe and see what comes back:

Off the top of your head, list three values, traits or interests you'd like to impart (or hope you've imparted) to your children. Alternatively, list three values, traits or interests that your parents worked to instill in you. For extra bonus points, write about some of the ways you have shared these  with your children (or your parents shared with you). Anecdotes and musings are very welcome.

Go to town! We'd love to hear from you!! And, please pass it on. We'd really like to hear from your circle of friends and family (and parents too if you think they'd like to give it a go!) Who knows, you might even find their answers enlightening...

Comments

[Chana]

Wow! Only 3?
Well, I'll start off with:

1. Integrity
2. Consideration for other people
3. Loyalty

[Becki]

1. An abiding faith in God
2. Respect for others (not to be confused with deference to others, which is sometimes appropriate, sometimes not)
3. A sense of responsibility: for one's own life and for the welfare of others less fortunate than oneself.

Excellent question. The limitation of three really made me think!

[Shannon]

Great blog topic. Really made me think.

1. Self-confidence/esteem
2. Integrity
3. Discipline/Determination

I want my children to be honest, loving, ambitious people who do not give up on their dreams and who have the self-esteem to chase them.

I think the biggest realization for me is that these are things my parents DID NOT impart to me and so I desperately want to instill them in my children.