Listen Up, Kids

     If and when I decide to have children, the lessons I'd teach them would be reenforced throughout their childhood so they would grow up to be smart, independent, loving, and successful people. I've honestly made so many mistakes in my life. Even though I'm still seventeen, I've learned a lot. One of the first things I'd teach my children is importance of education. I have found out the hard way that in order to be a successful person in general, one must be able to understand things. Understanding and building an understanding of everything is really important. I would teach my children to work hard in school... or else.
     Another thing I would teach my children is to be nice but not to let anyone push them around. This is from experience. I don't look for enemies, I really don't, but again, I don't let people push me around. When I have a problem, I voice it, or I do something about it. My children will not be pushovers. I will not let them be. They will fight for what they know is right. I'll raise them to understand the differences between right and wrong (without any prejudices).
     I'd teach my kids to have fun, and not take things too seriously. It's one thing to be mad, and it's another thing to be a sore loser. No one likes a sore loser. My kids will have good intentions, and when they lose at something, they'll accept defeat and move on. Dwelling in the past is one of my faults, and I don't want my kids to do the same.
     My children should understand the value of things. Growing up, I've always understood that nothing is forever, the world is suffering, that there's always a limit to abundance. I will each my kids to be happy with what they have (and of course, I'd spoil them every now and then). I don't want snobby children who could care less that their parents got them a new pony for their birthday. None of that will be tolerated.
     Patience is a virtue that I'll teach my kids. I myself am not a patient person, and that's okay, but sometimes it's not okay. I'll teach my kids how to... let's say, be as patient as their little bodies can be without having them want to burst out in fury. Patience is a precept that I can be lenient on.
     Lastly (but definitely not the end of my many lessons) I'd teach my kids to shoot for the stars. Nothing big ever came to someone who didn't have a purpose. If my kid has a passion for something, I'd totally be supportive. When someone is there supporting you, you'll have the tenacity to keep it up. I want my kids to know that I'll always have their backs. I'm their mother, and it's in my nature to protect and nurture my children. I won't ignore their dreams, nor will I question them. If they want something, they will work for it, and I'll be there to support them the whole way through.
     I see my children as a second chance; to pass down my lessons and knowledge; to stir them away from my mistakes; and to guide them through life so they would be better people than I was. I'll tell them everything, good and bad, and hopefully, they'll understand and live happy, fruitful lives.