If You Ever Raise a Child

Photo by Jordan Whitt, Unsplash.

Before the world teaches our children its noise and chaos, may we be the ones to show them what truly matters — to remind them that strength is not loudness, that kindness is not weakness, and that self-worth is not given by others. Because every child grows into the reflection of the lessons we pass down, spoken or silent. And because to raise a child is to raise the soul within us too. There are things every child deserves to learn — not from the world, but from us. Lessons about resilience, gratitude, boundaries, and love. The kind of wisdom that shapes not only who they become, but how they see life itself. This article is a reflection on those lessons.

Please teach your kids that it’s okay to say no when they don’t want to do what people ask them to, without having to over-explain themselves.

Please teach your kids to set boundaries for people and things in life, have some principles, live by some rules, get inspired by someone, and stay motivated by some goals.

Please teach your kids that the world will not bend down to give them what they want on their first try. They will have to dive deep, sweat, bleed, and fight for their opportunities.

Please teach your kids that no one in this world owes anyone anything; that no one has the duty to help out or to be kind; that people have to clean up their mess and be responsible for their faults instead of finding ways to walk out of them; that we must have gratitude towards the good people, instead of trying to take advantage of them.

Please teach your kids that no matter how ugly the world is going to be, they must never lose their kindness, their hope, their basic manners, the smile on their faces, or their desire to be good and do good. That’s the only way they can create a better world of their own.

Please teach your kids that it’s better to be alone and enjoy life on their own than to settle down with someone they’re not truly happy with, then create the kind of “nuclear family” that ruins generation after generation. After all, we come to this Earth alone and we leave it alone. Don’t rush into a family just to meet society’s standards, only to lose yourself and your own happiness afterwards.

Please teach your kids that true wealth doesn’t come from fame, a nice car, a big house, or fancy clothes — those are all debts. True wealth is your health, your wisdom, and the time you have to spend with your loved ones.

Please teach your kids that people come and go; don’t force anything to happen or anyone to stay; that a long-term relationship doesn’t mean it will work out. When it’s time to let go, have the courage to let go.

Please teach your kids that they don’t have to go to the zoo for entertainment, because what they actually see are innocent creatures being prisoners of humanity. And that joy can simply come from bushwalking, listening to the birds singing, witnessing how beautiful the nature is — to realise how blessed we are just being able to talk and see.

Please teach your kids to respect everyone despite age, appearance, occupation, or status in life; that everyone should be treated the same, and that the weak or different ones should be supported and protected, not bullied and judged. Please teach your kids that sometimes it’s okay to be misunderstood or to be the bad character in someone’s story; that no matter how good or nice they are, there will always be people who dislike them; that the more they try to explain, the more time and energy they waste. People believe what they want to believe, not the truth.

Please teach your kids that conflict happens most of the time because people want to give back the same negative energy that was given to them. An eye for an eye will cause two one-eyed men in the end. Stand your ground on certain things, but don’t join every battle just because you can fight.

Please teach your kids that it’s important to believe in themselves and value themselves as much as they want people to value and believe in them; that they have to acknowledge their own pride, weaknesses, and strengths instead of seeking outside validation. What they think of themselves will slowly shape them into it. Your own thoughts either make you or break you. Please teach your kids to heal any wounds or traumas they carry before looking for a partner or having children. Other people are not responsible for our emotional packages.

Please teach your kids that it’s okay to make mistakes and to experience failures — that’s the only way they can learn. As long as they don’t stay trapped in their comfort zone or fall asleep on their victories, as long as they keep moving forward and remain grateful for life, great things will come.

Please teach your kids that people only understand things from their level of perception. Proving someone wrong won’t make you more right. Sometimes, silence is the best explanation.

Please teach your kids that self-development is what a person must seek in life. Physically or mentally, be better than your own self from yesterday.

Please teach your kids that temporary pleasures such as addictive substances, excessive sexual activities, reckless decisions, attacking the weak, or constantly partying will not solve their problems. Their emptiness will soon return. The only way to solve this so-called “empty and lost” stage of life is to be truly, fully connected to one’s inner self — to know what we really want and who we seek to be in life.

Please teach your kids that it’s okay to feel empty, lonely, and angry sometimes. What’s not okay is to be stuck in it and become the prisoner of your own negativity. Learn to control your input and output energy, to appreciate life and fully live in it.

Please teach your kids that slow progress and consistency are better than imagined goals and dreams. That all the noise and voices from the outer world never matter. That we are only given one life to live, so we should live a life we can be proud of.

At the end of the day, what we pass on becomes the foundation of our children’s world. So teach them with patience, guide them with love, and let them grow into people who heal instead of hurt, who give instead of take, and who live with both courage and compassion. Raise them to be gentle yet brave, humble yet unbreakable, grounded yet full of wonder. That’s how we make the next generation better than ours. And when our children walk through this world — scarred, healed, wiser — may they still carry light in their eyes, love in their hearts, and purpose in their steps. And may they never forget where they came from — the quiet lessons, the hands that shaped them, the love that raised them — so they, too, can pass it on one day.

Wanting to be a better parent, or preparing to be one?

Our course How To Parent was created for people who believe parenting is more than just raising a child. It’s about growing mentally and spiritually as a human being. Inside, you’ll find gentle guidance, practical wisdom, and real conversations that help you understand yourself and your children on a deeper level. Thousands of parents have loved our work and shared how it transformed their relationships at home. We know you will too. Because when you learn to parent with awareness and love, you don’t just raise a child — you raise the future.