11 Things I'll Try to Teach My Children

Okay, before we get too excited; I don't have children, I'm not pregnant, and I'm not in a situation that provides even a slight possibility of getting pregnant any time soon. But I do want children someday, and I think a lot about the kind of beliefs I'd like to instill in them. I work with kids, and it's no secret that they are shaped by the adults in their lives. They soak in everything that we say and do. They make mental notes and behave accordingly. While it's easier said than done, I'd like to think that these are the open-minded, kind hearted beliefs I will bestow upon my future spawn.

1. No gender stereotypes allowed.

I don't ever want to see my son playing with a doll, and make him feel like there is something wrong with that. I'd very much like to encourage my daughter to play with trucks and legos. We all have these ideas in our heads of what a stereotypical boy or girl is/does/likes. This is a really excellent way to set up unfair gender roles before a kid can even talk. I really hope to never say the words "Take it like a man" or "Sit like a lady." I don't want my boys to feel like they can't be emotional, and I don't want my girls to be passive or subdued. Every kid should be able to express themselves without worrying about how their gender is "supposed" to act. 

2. Love. Your. Body.

This is huge. In my opinion this is something every parent should be teaching to every child, no exceptions. We all know this is a particularly tough one for the girls, but boys need to be told to love the way they look too. Think back to your childhood. How many times did you see an adult in your life say that they love their body? Or look in the mirror appreciatively? I want my kids to remember their mom feeling confident and healthy. I want to set my kids up for a lifetime of appreciating their bodies, and feeling strong, in a world that often teaches the opposite. 

3. Chill out on the tech toys.

There is nothing I fear more than my child being addicted to technology. I have seen it too many times. A family is out to eat and every kid at the table has a tablet or phone in their hand. Kids need to learn to converse with other human beings out in public. They need to learn to entertain themselves. They need to have an imagination. When I was young I would make two figurines talk to each other for hours in my own little world. I didn't need an electronic device of any sort. My imagination worked just fine.

4. Enjoy food. 
I really hope I don't have a picky eater for a child. I have an incredibly loving relationship with food. I believe it's designed to nurture our bodies, and fuel our adventures. Many days I find that meal times are my favorite parts of the day. Cooking is fun. Grocery shopping is fun. I want my kids to feel comfortable trying new foods, and enjoying them! 

5. Don't worry about a schedule.
It seems that youngins these days are so busy. They go from school, to soccer practice, to ballet, to French class, to whatever the heck else kids are learning these days. When I was a kid, the thing I remember filling up my schedule the most is playing outside. I would like my kids to feel free to just be kids. They will have the rest of their lives to follow a strict schedule. 

6. Appreciate other cultures. 
I would absolutely love to instill a respect for other cultures into my children. I think it's important to understand the way other cultures live, eat, pray, celebrate, etc. It's something I never learned as a kid, and took a huge interest in as I got older. That knowledge and respect can go a long way in shaping a child to be receptive of things that are unfamiliar or unique to them.

7. Be active. 
Go outside. Play tag. Play hopscotch. Jump rope. Roller blade. Ride your bike. Hopefully these are all words that will be coming out of my mouth on a near daily basis when I'm a parent. As humans we are not meant to sit all day. Our bodies are designed to move. The sooner I can instill an active lifestyle in my kids, the better.

8. Ask questions.

Yes, I say this now, even when I know how rough the endless string of 'hows?' and 'whys?' can be. Truthfully, annoying as it may be, these questions and their subsequent answers will shape my kid's knowledge and understanding of the world. I know it can be frustrating to answer 40 questions an hour, but if you don't do it, who will?

9. Have an open mind and a kind heart. 

It would be an absolute dream if I could limit the amount of judging my children do. I would very much like for them to be open to people who are different from what they know. Regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. I want my kids to understand that people are people, and we all deserve respect. 

10. Grades are not everything.
School these days is not what it used to be. Things like common core are obliterating the actual purpose of school. Here is this amazing concept; go somewhere everyday to learn and grow and change and better yourself. Yet we've completely ruined it by making it all about tests and scores and grades. I hope I can teach my kids to not beat themselves up over a bad grade. I believe I will always care more about their happiness and well-being than I will about the letter on the report card.

11. Be creative.
This is probably me just being a bit selfish, and wanting my kids to be just like me. I consider myself a creative person. I like to write, read, draw, play guitar, sing, garden, paint, and pretty much anything else that lets me create. It is my hope that my kids are the same, because I find it such a fulfilling way to live. I think being creative makes for an incredibly vibrant life, and I would love to see my kid experience the world that way.

I know I'm writing this as a 24 year old whose general experience with children is hanging out with them for a while before sending them home to their parents. Even I know this may be idealistic, and easier said than done. So, promise not to be too surprised if I update this blog in ten years saying "I would love to have these glorious well-rounded discussions with my kids, however I'm too exhausted/outnumbered/short on time/etc. to do so." 

3 Things I Packed and Never Used at Disney World

1. Water bottle
You will probably find lots of people who tell you not to go to the parks without a water bottle. It's true that hydration is super important when you're walking in the sun for 12+ hours. Luckily, there are water fountains EVERYWHERE at Disney. Not to mention you can get cups of water from nearly every food establishment, and there are lots of those too. I don't feel like bringing your own water bottle is worth the extra weight.

2. Snacks
I read on a lot of blogs that you should bring little snacks into the park with you. I did on the first day and realized that food is so readily available (and yummy) at the parks that I never touched my trail mix. My suggestion is to skip the store bought snacks and indulge in the foods you'll only find at Disney. After all, you're on vacation!

3. Money belt
I had this awesome plan for my money belt. I was going to put a credit card, my ID, hotel key, and some cash in it and wear it in the parks. I figured that if I had to put my bag in a locker, at least I would still have the essentials on me. However, it was about 478 degrees in Florida and I couldn't imagine having any more layers of cloth on my body. The lockers are safe and opened with your finger print only. Even without the money belt, I never worried about my valuables. Keeping everything in my backpack sufficed!