Seems like so many young boys growing up these days don't have a good male influence in their life. What are some lessons that you want to teach your grandson that he might not have the opportunity to learn from others. I'm not necessarily talking about a skill like how to shine his shoes or rebuild a carburetor. More along the lines of character building, dealing with the issues of life. Maybe he is age 5 - 11, still teachable, moldable, doesn't know everything yet like he will by age 16. An opportunity to help shape his character...what would you teach him?

 

due one to others as you would want done to you, be honest and respectful, how to communicate when they have a problem, etc...

 

To let his mother know that he loves her every single day.

Don't be afraid to walk against the wind.

Be loyal, honest, and trustworthy.

Stay true to your word...especially when it is difficult to do so.

Look people in the eye so you can see their heart...and they yours.

If you see someone in need, extend your hand.

Try to give those that are troubled, the benefit of the doubt...once anyway.

Go all out. If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got.

Be confident but, do not let your ego get so big that people can't see you.

 

Well said. Can't add much to that.

 

1) seek out and treasure women who can lick the backs of their knees. (you wont get this advice from school or clergy)

 

Leave it better than you found it.

 

Being courteous, respectful and helpful doesn't cost you a thing, but pays big dividends.

 

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.


Excerpt from the notebooks of Lazarus Long, from Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough for Love"


This is one of my favorite quotes. Pretty much as well sums it up for me.

Good idea for a thread btw

 

How to sit on the bank of a lake with a fishing line in the water even though there's no bait left on the hook.
Jetdoc, Ol' LL could teach a lot of us things. I'd also like to attend Michael Valentine Smiths' church.

 

I will take that as a recommendation of a good read...I will put it on the list after Atlas Shrugs.

 

I'd make sure he knew how to read. When you can read you can teach yourself anything you want to learn and gain the power to think for yourself. I'd also tell him not to believe everything he's taught in school or sees on the television.

 

The Bible and the 10 commandments from Exodus 20.

Then maybe watch Miracle on 34th Street and 12 Angry Men with him and talk about it afterwards and about Jimmy Steward's life and the real war hero he was.

 

I can’t add much to the list!

Try to teach him what you might have learned from people other than your parents.

Teach him how to have confidence in himself.

The importance of having good neighbors, good coworkers, choosing good friends and treating people like you would like to be treated.

The value of earning and saving money.

How to have tolerance toward people of different races and nationalities.

 

I'd make sure he realized that there are people out there every night fighting to make sure he, as well as everyone else in the US, is able to live in a free country. And that he should have nothing but respect for those people.

 

A lot of these lessons can be taught while fishing ... Patience (here fishy fishy fishy), self-worth (baiting your own hook), manners (dang fish, get on that hook), asking for help (what do I do now?) ...