Ive compiled a partial list of things I think parents should do for their children, or let their children do as they are growing up. Please add to it.
Let them witness a live birth.
Even if its a family pet, the cat having kittens or dog having puppies. Live birth is an incredible event
Take them camping.
No electronics, not phones, no TV or video games, just nature for a few days. And while you are doing that,
Take them fishing
Teach them how to catch, clean and cook fish over a campfire. And cook other stuff over a campfire.
Take them to the beach.
Everybody should see the ocean.
Take a vacation where you have to fly to get there.
Everybody should have the opportunity to be herded like cattle onto an airplane, and give them the window seat.
Let them witness the power of guns.
Personal firearms like a rifle, handgun and shotgun. Even if you are against guns, take them to a firing range and let them see other people fire a gun.
Teach them to drive.
I mean really teach them, not just the standard driving techniques, take them out and let them learn how to do donuts, learn what happens when you go 80 mph and try and lock up your brakes, learn what happens when you hit the brakes on ice or snow, real life type stuff.
Have an alcoholic beverage with them.
Do this before they turn 21, let them get drunk for their first time in the safety of your company. Record it if you can, so you can prove loss of motor skills to them. If they want to drink enough to get sick, let them do that to so they know what thats like, but let it be their decision.
Let them cut class when they are in high school.
I dont mean an organized Jr or Sr ditch day. Its best if they already have a drivers license and they can cut class and screw off for the day with their friends. Dont write an excuse note for them missing school.
Make them cut class one day.
Schedule a day off from work and dont tell them. In the morning, dont send them to school. Take the day and just do something they like. Do write an excuse note for this one.
Go have lunch with them at school.
This is best done in primary school, at that age, they are proud of you and want to introduce you to their friends. Alternatively, arrange with the school in advance to take them off campus for lunch.
Let them do the grocery shopping one week.
Give your teen the weekly grocery money and let them pick out the groceries for the week, no restrictions. This is even better if they have to prepare the meals or at least decide whats served every meal.
Take them out for a really fancy over priced dinner.
Pick one of the best places in the city, if you dont live in a city with fancy over-priced restaurants, drive to the nearest one. Afterwards, take them to see a real orchestra or nice play.
Go big on a milestone birthday.
You have to plan ahead and save for this, but give them something big for the 18th or 21st birthday, something they havent done before. A trip to Las Vegas or New York or Hawaii or Europe or a cruise. Something that creates a life long memory for them.
Get them a pet.
This depends on what kind of pet you have the facilities to accommodate and what kind they want. Dog, cat, hamster, snake, ferret, parakeet, something. It teaches responsibility, and eventually the pet will die, so they learn about death to.
Take them on a road trip.
This can potentially be done on a shoestring budget, stay in crappy motels or campgrounds. Spend at least 3 hours each day driving to the next destination; dont stay in the same place more than one night. See America. Depending on where you live and what is within driving distance, you can find something; What's New - Road trips, vacation sights. Roadside America
Tell them you love them.
Everyday.
Let them witness a live birth.
Even if its a family pet, the cat having kittens or dog having puppies. Live birth is an incredible event
Take them camping.
No electronics, not phones, no TV or video games, just nature for a few days. And while you are doing that,
Take them fishing
Teach them how to catch, clean and cook fish over a campfire. And cook other stuff over a campfire.
Take them to the beach.
Everybody should see the ocean.
Take a vacation where you have to fly to get there.
Everybody should have the opportunity to be herded like cattle onto an airplane, and give them the window seat.
Let them witness the power of guns.
Personal firearms like a rifle, handgun and shotgun. Even if you are against guns, take them to a firing range and let them see other people fire a gun.
Teach them to drive.
I mean really teach them, not just the standard driving techniques, take them out and let them learn how to do donuts, learn what happens when you go 80 mph and try and lock up your brakes, learn what happens when you hit the brakes on ice or snow, real life type stuff.
Have an alcoholic beverage with them.
Do this before they turn 21, let them get drunk for their first time in the safety of your company. Record it if you can, so you can prove loss of motor skills to them. If they want to drink enough to get sick, let them do that to so they know what thats like, but let it be their decision.
Let them cut class when they are in high school.
I dont mean an organized Jr or Sr ditch day. Its best if they already have a drivers license and they can cut class and screw off for the day with their friends. Dont write an excuse note for them missing school.
Make them cut class one day.
Schedule a day off from work and dont tell them. In the morning, dont send them to school. Take the day and just do something they like. Do write an excuse note for this one.
Go have lunch with them at school.
This is best done in primary school, at that age, they are proud of you and want to introduce you to their friends. Alternatively, arrange with the school in advance to take them off campus for lunch.
Let them do the grocery shopping one week.
Give your teen the weekly grocery money and let them pick out the groceries for the week, no restrictions. This is even better if they have to prepare the meals or at least decide whats served every meal.
Take them out for a really fancy over priced dinner.
Pick one of the best places in the city, if you dont live in a city with fancy over-priced restaurants, drive to the nearest one. Afterwards, take them to see a real orchestra or nice play.
Go big on a milestone birthday.
You have to plan ahead and save for this, but give them something big for the 18th or 21st birthday, something they havent done before. A trip to Las Vegas or New York or Hawaii or Europe or a cruise. Something that creates a life long memory for them.
Get them a pet.
This depends on what kind of pet you have the facilities to accommodate and what kind they want. Dog, cat, hamster, snake, ferret, parakeet, something. It teaches responsibility, and eventually the pet will die, so they learn about death to.
Take them on a road trip.
This can potentially be done on a shoestring budget, stay in crappy motels or campgrounds. Spend at least 3 hours each day driving to the next destination; dont stay in the same place more than one night. See America. Depending on where you live and what is within driving distance, you can find something; What's New - Road trips, vacation sights. Roadside America
Tell them you love them.
Everyday.
