The joys of watching your child grow into a well-rounded individual are many. And yet, how we get to that stage is fraught with endless doubts and uncertainties. While providing your child with a good education is imperative to equip them with the skills they need to progress in life, how we condition their minds during their formative years is even more crucial.

As the adage goes, “Learning starts from home”. A child’s mind is like a sponge which serves as an excellent means to acquire and process any kind of information shared with them. The onus is upon the parents to ensure that they imbibe life lessons that are necessary to develop their child into a well-thought individual who can differentiate between good and bad. For this reason, we see most schools focusing their efforts on inculcating good habits in children besides academics.

Here are some of the important life lessons you should teach your child:

Honesty is the best policy : For most of us who have seen much of the world, this life lesson may sound naïve and silly from a certain viewpoint. Yet, it is the bedrock of our very being as civilised men and women. Teach your child to be honest and ethical.

Treat others well : Treat others the way you wish to be treated; Always be courteous and patient to the best of your ability. Even if you feel you are at the end of the rope, be sure to maintain that last bit of civility no matter what. If we can’t treat others well, we cannot expect to be treated in the same way.

Good manners matter : Good manners are the indicator of an educated and civilised individual. Being well-mannered does not mean one is weak or timid. It just means that you have the strength to be a better person no matter the adversity. A little bit of courteousness can get you far in life.

Success is the outcome of hard work : Granted, success may not be formulaic and at times, luck also plays a hand in attaining success. Yet, it’s only hard work that pays off at the end of the day. Teach your child the value of hard work not only for attaining success but also to appreciate the effort we put into things. Hard work is the journey that will lead one to success.

Life isn’t just about you : As you grow older, it’s important to understand that the world does not revolve around you. In reality, we work our way around it. Teach your child to be responsible for their actions and understand that everything they do has repercussions. You are not the only person in the world!

Take responsibility : Teach your child to own up to his/her actions. The best indicator of a child’s learning is exhibited in the way they conduct themselves and how they weigh their actions. This will imbibe strong moral judgement and work ethics in the child. This particular trait will allow your child to be aware of his surroundings and react to any situation with utmost care and consideration.

There are many lessons to learn in a lifetime starting from a very young age. Some can be taught while some need to experience. The best we can do is to prepare our children for the future by sharing our experiences and impressing them to learn these life lessons.