The 4 Most Important Life Lessons Parents Need To Teach Their Kids

Kids have needs. Sometimes it feels like their needs are never ending.

Each day you make sure they're ready for school, eating the right foods, are part of the healthiest activities and getting good grades.

As a parent, you're more than just their caretaker.

You are the presence in your child's life that sets the foundation of trust, security, and confidence.

For example, if you see your kid hit another child while playing at the park, you'd tell them to not hurt others.

If you see them get hurt, you help them learn how to handle a bully.

But what happens when your kids are grown up and set out to live on their own?

There are certain life lessons that they'll need to know, or else that transition can be a set up for a minor failure.

Many young people struggle to balance their lives and responsibilities when they enter adulthood.

But it doesn't have to be that way. You can prepare them for success at home and in life on their own, too.

We asked our YourTango Experts to share what all kids need to learn from their parents in order to lead happy, successful lives, and here's what they told us.

1. Financial responsibility is about a LOT more than just getting rich.

“Our kids need parents to teach them about money. The skills to manage money don’t come naturally for most of us (or our kids).

So it’s essential that of the many life skills we pass on to our kids, money management is close to the top.

If you don’t want a whiny, entitled, irresponsible child who turns into an undisciplined, buried-in-debt young adult — have 'the talk' now.”

Scott & Bethany Palmer, The Money Couple® provide real-life anecdotes in their latest book for parenting issues such as allowance, honesty, holiday spending, planning for the future, financial independence, and debt. The 5 Money Conversations to Have with Your Kids at Every Age and Stage provides money goals for each specific age group and free codes for 5 Money Personality Assessments for your kids.

2. The importance of boundaries — having their own and respecting other people's.

"Parents are often slack with boundaries, preferring to be a pal rather than a parent.

They set a rule: "No treats at the store today." The children are fine for a while, then start agitating for a candy bar. Agitating escalates to demanding, whining, and even tantrums.

Parents give in.

Wrong! Children feel SAFE when boundaries are immovable and non-negotiable. Teach them to respect boundaries on the small things, and you'll have a much easier time when it comes to the teenage years. Your kids will be able to relax because they believe and respect your word.

Everybody wins!”

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, The Relationship Help Doctor, is a relationship expert, consultant and educator. Author of sixteen books, Dr. Shaler specializes in helping the partners, exes, and adult children of relentlessly difficult people save their sanity and stop the crazy-making. Visit her website and blog. Get her free ebook, How To Spot A Hijackal.

3. The importance of authentic self-expression.

"Children need to have the freedom to express their authentic self and to feel supported and accepted while doing so. Encouraging your child as they grow in their natural gifts and in expressing their true self, allows for more confidence in who they are — their sense of self-worth.

It is important that they feel safe to express themselves — their opinions and their desires — even if they differ from yours.

If a child feels loved and accepted as they grow into and express their authentic self, they will grow into mature, balanced adults who can accept others as well."

The Top 4 Things Experts Say ALL Kids Need To Learn From Their Parents

It's up to us to give them what they need for a happy life.

The Top 4 Things Experts Say ALL Kids Need To Learn From Their Parents

It's up to us to give them what they need for a happy life.

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