If your children are adults what do you wish...

[coodawoodashooda]

... you had taught them or what experience do you wish you had given them?

Single parent trying to prioritise. Looking for clarity.

I taught them that if they messed up they could tell me and I'd help but we'd also be talking about why they messed up and work out how not to repeat the same mistake again. It seems to have worked they aren't afraid to come to me but they know that there will be discussion after the help.

Plan your life so that the job you are doing is something you love. If it isn't well paid then factor that in to your lifestyle. Live according to your means.

To never, ever settle. To know that if it feels wrong, it is wrong. To value themselves and always be true to themselves. I wish they’d been able to witness a more loving relationship between their parents. Above all, I wish them happiness and peace.

Always have a plan B, you might never need it but when you do, you know what to do.

Always have an emergency fund.

Understand compound interest.

Another spin on this i’m afraid as my DC are still young.

My mum was amazing and very generous but a few things I wished she would have taught me.

1- it’s okay to cry sometimes (still rubbish at this- works well in my line of work but I bottle things up, never cried at a film)

2- let people in, a hug won’t hurt you

3- work ethic …

I was never pushed to study or do homework. Luckily I had a good group of friends who were all studious, it turned out well in the end for me as I was self motivated - but if I wasn’t then it could have been different. I really want my children to be driven, determined and work hard for what they really want.

But above all, enjoy them, every single minute. One day you will enjoy the company of the adults you have helped grow.

I'm not sure about what I wish - but what I am so, so, so, so glad about is that I spent so much time with them (pretty much every single day until they went to school at 5). It was all just gentle stuff - poking in puddles, walking to the shops, going to the park, playing imaginary games, reading to them, just being physically and emotionally present for them). It's the roots and wings thing - give them the confidence to fly, but in such a way that they know they can always come back if things don't work out.

Oooh I love this!

I stayed withy ex for too long after he fell out of love with me. I wish I had shown them it is ok if you are unhappy you can leave your marriage. I did it in the end but probably 7 years after I should have done. I am glad I taught them to budget, start a pension fund, give love unconditionally and that playing with your children and enjoying doing activities together is more important than a spotless house.

I'm disabled, not seriously but my dc have had to learn to do stuff around the house. They're now 22, 20 and 18, all left school.

They can all clean, cook a variety of meals, do laundry, hoover, clean a bathroom. They can also do things (girls - help me with underwear/tights etc) all of them shoes, upper body clothes, socks) which have made them young carers and they've had support. But in reality, apart from helping someone to dress and put on a bra are all things they should have learned anyways. I don't ask much of them even now but they cook a meal each week, take their turn on the dishwasher and washing machine/dryer. I've never taught them to iron cos I don't!

For them, I wish them fulfilling work and happy relationships. A family, when that time comes (not quite yet, I hope!). I hope that dd1s art school experience leads to a creative career she'll love. I hope that ds finds nursing to be a great choice for him. Dd2 has loads of plans to open her own beauty salon and it would be great if that all came true.

But mostly, I hope they'll be happy. I've spent much of my adult life escaping the dragging influence of my (estranged) mother and my experiences when she abandoned us as children. I've not been perfect, but I hope I've been better than she was!

I'm glad I taught mine:
To treat other people with kindness whoever they might be.
To stand up against injustice / unfairness
To try new things
To try to find something to enjoy about where you are 'at' in life...... yes, aim high, but don't forget to enjoy the journey.
That asking for help is not a bad thing. Sorting out problems early on makes life a lot easier. We all get things wrong. That is okay.

Self worth, self respect and confidence in their abilities and decision making. Believing in themselves and their gut reaction.