What are the most important life skills I should be teaching my kids as a dad?
Looking back now, with my three grown, I see what I got right, and what I might have done differently.
What I Believe I Did Well
We always tried to instill responsibility, starting small with chores and growing to managing their own lives. We encouraged problem-solving by guiding them, rather than fixing everything for them. Resilience was key; teaching them to dust themselves off after setbacks. And financial literacy was crucial – understanding money, saving, and needs versus wants. Finally, empathy and respect for others was something my wife and I valued deeply, trying to teach it through example.
What I Wish I’d Done Differently
My main regret is perhaps not always giving them enough room to truly learn from their own mistakes without my hovering. Sometimes, I might have been too quick to step in or offer a solution, instead of letting them navigate the discomfort of figuring things out themselves. You want to shield them, but sometimes, a bit of struggle is the best teacher. It’s a fine line to walk as a parent.
Ultimately, you lead by example, and give them room to grow. That’s the real goal.