LESSONS FOR MY KIDS

I've been doing loads of high school training and watching the everyday drama that teens are involved in – being self conscious, trying to develop an identity, bullying, peer pressure…. straightening your hair every morning (it was a curling wand in my era and only the girls did it).  I had almost forgotten the complex dance of adolescence, and if I was granted the wish of youth I would never return to that age.

This has got me thinking in the wee small hours of the morning when I am of dreaming of my young growing family… what do I want to teach my kids so that I may lesson the growing pains and make them kind and independent adults?

This is a work in progress, if you would like to add your words of wisdom click in comment and let the love flow!  Your kids might not listen to you now, but maybe these collection of words will help some young person somewhere in a time of need.

ADVICE FOR MY GIRLS:                                                                                                                  

1. The coolest people I know don’t give a hoot what other people think of them.
2. I’d prefer to be a pit-bull then a princess.
3. Never trust a man who has issues with his mum.
4. “No” is the most powerful word in your dictionary – to drugs, sex and later in life to preserve time for yourself.
5. Selfish vs insane?  Taking time out sometimes does mean the difference between life and death.
6. Whoever said girls can only do push-ups from their knees lied.
7. When you are dead people don’t remember you for your fingernails, hair extensions or silicone.
8. Never cry over boys (or girls)  – get even by exercising and looking hot instead.
9. You should always be able to lift your own body weight.
10. Don’t dumb yourself down for love – one day you will want that person to listen to you & you will have forgotten to use your words.
11. You WON’T get fat if you eat good food and exercise.
12. Being overweight is HARD work.
13. If you trained for the same amount of time that you complained about your body you’d be in the Olympics.
14. I will support whoever you choose to love – but don’t kiss girls in public just to impress boys.
15. A “soul mate” is not the person you want to marry.  They are usually the people who drive you crazy, leave you in a heap, and make you a better person because you are forced to change.
16. When you are single you will wish you were in a relationship… when you have been in a relationship for 20 years you will wish that you had more fun when you were single.  The moral – where ever you are right now is where you are meant to be.
17. Ask your Dad what boys are really thinking.
18. "CAN'T" is an excuse, not a word.
19. The best way to achieve a firm bottom - get off it!
20. Life is full of hurdles...  you can have a little rest before you decide to jump over them, crawl under them, run around them and feel the wind on your face! But NEVER just lay down...
21. Sooky is not sexy.
22. You will always look at old photos and realise how young and gorgeous you really were.

ADVICE FOR MY BOYS:                           

1. Your worth will not be measured by money or cars.
2. Revving your engine does NOT impress the sort of girl worth impressing... It only makes her wish the Police were waiting down the road.
3. You don’t always need to solve a woman's problems, she just wants a soft touch and a gentle ear. 
4. The friend that offers you drugs is not the same friend that will bail you out of the watch house. 
5. Graffiti without permission is NOT ART... someone's mum or dad will have to remove your vandalism and be home late for dinner with their kids.
6. Shouting at girls from your car is not a compliment, or funny, it only confirms that you have not yet evolved from the ranks of a chimpanzee.
7. There is nothing sexier than a man that can bench press 120kgs and then powder his baby’s bottom.
8. The art of ‘winking’ has been lost.
9. Mother's may not always be right, but they must always be respected. 
10. Don't wear polyester when you sweat, it stinks.
11. In your 20’s you stop chasing girls because they will seek you out.
12. If you have a job that you love, you will never work a day in your life.
13. A real man has no qualms at being trained by a woman (who knows what she is doing).
14. Never touch an intoxicated girl.  She is incapable of consent.
15. Listing off your fight history does not make you a fighter...
16. Modesty is the greatest asset of any man.
17. Try not to talk over people... a man who listens and maintains appropriate eye contact is one of the most powerful men on earth.
18. Always protect women and children.  It is your birth right.
19. Never raise a hand in anger.  But always fight for the rights of your kin.
20. Your occupation does not define you... your attitude to life and family does.
21. Yes, open doors for girls.

ADVICE FOR ALL SOULS:                   

1. Never be stingy with compliments.
2. It’s only when you forget your own name that you realise that alcohol in your teens was a bad idea.
3. Someone’s opinion of you is none of your business – and usually their own issue.
4. If someone is cruel to you realise they hate themselves more than you ever could.
5. ‘Feedback’ is the 21st century spin on bitching.
6. If you can find time to eat more than three times a day, exercising once a day should be a piece of cake….
7. Go outside you comfort zone regularly and you will be more comfortable in your own skin.
8. Daydream about an extraordinary future so when you’re old you will look back and realise your God had plans for you that far exceeded your imagination.