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There exist many cliches about writing. My favourite is “if you want to write, then write today”. Another one I see often is “write about what you know”. Today I will do a precis version of what I know about being a parent. I admit that I could have done a better job (as a parent) on reflection.

 Are you ready?

1. If you have children, make sure they always know you love them unconditionally.
2. Spend quality time with your children
3. Create happy times that will become happy memories (not just for the kids but for all you encounter)
4. Feed them properly – meat and vegies and lots of fruit. Don’t let them live on two minute noodles!
5. Teach them how to cook something more adventurous than spaghetti bolognaise.
6. Do your best to avoid having to choose between your children and your partner/husband. Partners can come and go but your children are your children for ever. (apologies to husbands and partners here – I hope you understand what I mean)
7. Make sure they have nice clothes to wear – especially on the day the  photographer is at school. Those photos will be around a while to remind you if you forget!
8. Accept that sometimes you won’t be able to figure out what is going on in their heads (let’s make that most of the time)
9. If you move house, remember to tell them.
10. Don’t forget your child is asleep in your friend’s bedroom. They will always remind you of the time you went home without them – oops!
11. Maintain contact with the extended families of both parents. Even though they may be a long way away, today it is so easy to keep in touch via Facebook and emails etc. Do this even if there is a split up in the family. They are still your kids’ uncles, aunties and cousins.
12. Try to teach them resilience – it is hard to do if you don’t feel that way yourself. Maybe learn it first and then teach them – it is a really important characteristic for a successful life.
13. Encourage them to love nature. This is a precious gift and to be greatly valued throughout life.
14. Accept that they carry your genes and there is nothing you can do about it – sometimes it can be something to celebrate!
15. Encourage them to have diverse friends from different cultures as they can learn a lot from others’ differences.
16. Encourage them to have some interest in politics and to believe that they are not  powerless to the system and CAN make a difference.
17. Teach them to be nice to each other. I used to say ” a lot of people in the world who may be unkind to your brother, it is your job to be kind to him” – something along those lines.
18. Remember they are more likely to copy what you do and not what you say.
19. Encourage a sense of adventure and curiosity.
20. And then…make sure they always know you love them unconditionally.

Until next time

Lorraine

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