I learned pretty early that my parents somehow were always right. It's like as soon as you become a parent you know everything about everything! I don't think I was capable of fully understanding how much of an impact my parents could have on me as a whole. However now as a young adult, I have realized that I owe them a big thank you. I am so lucky to have the upbringing I had which was filled with lessons, learning, and love. The values that my parents introduced to me are not principles that are taught in an everyday classroom, but instead learned everyday at home. Some children growing up are not provided with this necessary foundation for a successful life, but I was one of the lucky ones. So thanks Mom and Dad, for shaping me into the woman I have always dreamed of becoming.
1. The importance of family dinners.
Between work, school and the chaos of everyday life, the one thing my family looked forward to at the end of the day was having a sit-down dinner at the table. No cell phones were allowed, which forced us all to really talk to one another. The generic "how was your day" question was not answered with the simple "good" but rather a detailed description of how we spent our day. The family dinner table is filled with laughs, jokes, opinions, and sometimes heated debates. However, this was my favorite ending to a long day. My sister and I are both away at college now and I find myself missing the dinner table the most. In the way future when I have children, I will definitely incorporate this important value into my own family.
2. Manners.
Being a courteous, classy, polite young lady is how my parents raised me to become. A simple "please" and "thank you" goes a long way. I was never allowed to respond to a question I didn't hear with "what??!!" but instead with "excuse me" or "pardon me." I was taught to be thankful for everything I receive. Just a bit of advice: when you're on your first date, your potential suitor isn't going to want to see your elbows on the table, smell your burp or hear you chew with your mouth open... Um, gross!
3. It's nice to be important but more important to be nice.
This is a saying my dad always tells my sister and I. Be a little kinder than necessary and always give someone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes it's hard not to be selfish, but at the end of the day it will get you nowhere. Nice guys don't finish last, they finish happy. Kindness is such a beautiful and positive thing. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
4. Work ethic.
My parents have taught me that nothing in this world is handed to you, you have to work for it. My parents encouraged me to get my first job when I was 15 at the nearby McDonald's (you have to start somewhere!). I was making my own money to pay for my own wants, desires and essentials: gas, food, DD iced coffee, and more clothes for my overflowing closet. But I learned leadership, responsibility, customer service, and most importantly hard work.
5. Life skills.
Nowadays, there are some kids who don't know how to write a check, do laundry, or address an envelope. My mom taught me when I was barely a teenager how to balance a checkbook, write a check, make a budget, start a checking account, get a debit card, etc. I've done my own laundry since I was in sixth grade (this skill came in handy when I went to college) and I learned how to address an envelope ever since I started writing thank you notes (it's hard to believe some kids have never written a thank you note).
6. Perspective.
Every time I complained about something, or thought for one second that I was living a "bad" life, my parents always put things into perspective for me. How bad can my life possibly be if I have a family that loves me, a roof over my head, food to eat, water to drink and the opportunity to go to college? I am so fortunate no matter how many bumps in the road I face. This type of attitude has made me into the kind, positive, and knowledgeable young woman I am today.
7. Love.
Love, above all else, never fails. In my household love is the greatest value of all. First, I was taught to love myself, not in a selfish way, but to know my self worth. Next, I was taught to love the people that love me and even love the people that hate me. Always take the high road and don't sweat the small stuff. Lastly and most importantly, the love of family is the greatest love of all. Family is always first, no matter how big or how small, no matter how early or how late, no matter how expensive or how cheap...Family is forever.
