Children learn by observing those around them. They look to their parents, their siblings, their relatives and their teachers to understand how to act, respond and interact. That’s why it’s important to share with our children who we are and how we experience life.

When we were little, many of our parents felt it would undermine their authority to engage with their children on any level other than being the authoritarian parent, which meant acting ‘grown-up’. In their world, grown-ups didn’t laugh or make mistakes or talk about their own life experiences.

These are 5 things that I feel are important to share with your child. They aren’t necessarily things to teach your child, but rather things that you do that in the end will give your child invaluable life gifts. Share your experiences; share what these things mean to you, or in some cases actively display these things in your own life.

© 2012 Christine Agro