<p>I’m just curious about what your goals for your children are? Mine is for them to be happy in the vocation God has called them to do, earn a decent living, and make the world a better place… To know exactly what they are called to do in this world… To me, that doesn’t necessarily mean Harvard… So what are your goals?</p>
<p>My goals for DS are to know the following things before he leaves the nest: change a tire, write a thank you note, cook a meal from scratch, launder clothes (icluding check for stains and treat), sew a button, to lose graciously, to win with humility, to stand up for himself, to take a stand on topics and educate himself, to learn to forgive himself and others and to make up his own mind and to consider the greater good in his actions.</p>
<p>My goals for DS are to make the best of what he’s been given, to give to others, to continue to stretch and challenge himself, to advocate for himself, to find a path that gives him satisfaction and peace, and to think about what he can do to contribute to the betterment for all. Another goal is to learn the practical tools: sewing, cleaning, cooking!</p>
<ol>
<li>To live well without me</li>
<li>To choose a mate wisely</li>
<li>To think things through to several logical conclusions</li>
<li>To tithe </li>
<li>To consider the needs of others</li>
<li>To be forgiving</li>
</ol>
<p>These posts are very moving and contain excellent goals. I agree with every one of them.</p>
<p>One of my goals for my son is specific to the fact that he is gay. I want him to know, really know deep down, that equality is his birth right. There are so many negative messages being relayed to him in so many different ways. We tried to raise him to be strong enough to know that those messages are wrong. And also to have compassion for other minority groups, to not fall into the trap of lateral discrimination. </p>
<p>Those are very important goals for me, for my child.</p>
<p>MizzBee,
I love your goals! Every summer, I think, “this is the summer I teach kids how to sew and iron a shirt, etc.” I need to step on it! Once upon a time my dad wore pressed shirts and carried a pressed cotton handkerchief that sister and I had to iron. We also had to learn how to put in a zipper, lay out a pattern to match plaids and make our own bias tape. Younger brother is a great cook and pretty good with laundry, but D who is getting ready to leave the nest - not so much.</p>
<p>Another time I wish CC had a like button.</p>
<p>I love the practicality of all your suggestions. I’ll add one thng that my DH warns me I should do too: understand the financial markets and be prepared to make financial decisions that will affect my future.</p>
<p>What a great thread!</p>
<p>Balance a checkbook
Know how to do his own taxes
Live within his means
Use credit wisely
Know how to save
Know how to negotiate
Know needs from wants
Know how to problem solve
Practice gratitude & appreciation</p>
<p>I hope for my kids to be happy, healthy, and self-supporting. If they stay in touch and share their lives, all the better! </p>
<p>Ha, sewing and ironing is not on my list. The both do know how to grocery shop and do basic cooking, so I know they won’t starve. One of them for sure knows how to change a tire -we had to do it in the garage this summer. He just wouldn’t believe me that it pays to loosen the lugnuts before you jack up the car… now he knows.</p>
<p>My goals for my daughter are like those listed above. My goal for my two sons suffering from mental illness is that they be able to live healthy, independent lives. That’s all I’m hoping for at this point.</p>
<p>^God Bless…The goals really do vary depending on the adult child. </p>
<p>Think of you often MaineLonghorn</p>
<p>Saintfan - It was my job to iron my father’s hankys, also! I remember that when I was learning to embroider, I went to town making those hankys beautiful (to me). Don’t know what he felt about using them, but he did. Thanks for the memory.</p>
<p>These lists are wonderful and practical - I would say that I want my children to feel confident that they have the tools to survive and overcome whatever obstacles life throws their way and always find their way back to peace and happiness no matter what.</p>
<p>Our primary goal was raising our kids to be the best they can, be good people, earn a living at something they enjoy and do well, and help make the world a better place in their own way. I would also love for them to be able to live independent lives and be self-supporting.</p>
<p>S is the best ironer from our household, tho he is the one who melted his graduation sash trying to “iron” it with a hot frying pan. 
It will make a good story for his kids & grandkids. He does know how to sew a button. I’m believe D might have handled the iron a time or two. Believe she could sew on a button if tasked to do so. Both can cook decently from scratch. Neither have done much tire changing in their lives. I also hope that at the time of their choosing, they will have a significant other in their lives.</p>
<ol>
<li>Medical School</li>
<li>Medical School</li>
<li>Medical School
: : : : : : : : : : :
:)</li>
</ol>
<p>One goal only, actually. Study something that lets them use what talents they have and what skills they’re good at. No point studying anything that they don’t care for, but no point dismissing a field just because…</p>
<p>Life is a lot of fun once you do things you like.</p>
<p>More tangible goals? probably not set for now, because it takes time to get the ‘street smarts’. Like picking a major or a career, the discovery process itself is very important, and very educational.</p>
<p>If medical school is the only goal, then you have a problem… My dh is a doctor. He wanted to be one since he was a child… It is a hard profession. Although he does derive satisfaction in his work, he has had to work hard to be a balanced person. I can’t tell you how many doctors we know that end up divorced, broke, depressed, etc. We heard a sermon once that really stuck with both of us: At some point, that medical school diploma as well as that diploma from that prestigious university will end up being thrown into the dumpster. I mean what are the kids or grandkids or great-grandkids going to do with it??? All of the work that represents!!! So much of the “stuff” we thought was so important, won’t be. The time my husband has invested in his children and the way he deomonstrated how to be a man to my children will be important… Graduating Phi Beta Kappa… not so much. So be careful… If being a doctor is all that is important, they will have been practicing for 10 years and realize they hate their life. Just be careful…</p>
<p>I would like my kids to know themselves - their strengths, the weaknesses and their values - and to have confidence in all the choices they make.</p>
<p>To win the lottery… oh wait, that is a goal for me, not him! ;)</p>
<p>Many of you have stated my same goals. We have taught him many things, some skills he is better at than others ( could sew a button, would be good at calling AAA for a tire change!!). Our main goal is that he does not give up, does not give in to adversity, is not complacent with injustice, and finds his world to be a happy place for him. To be able to admit when he makes a mistake, and the fortitude to try to correct the mistake. I hope he finds true love that is lasting, and does not lose himself in that love. I hope we continue to have an important place in his world, but as an advisor, confidant, cheerleader, and baby sitter to grandchildren instead of the parent/child role. </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>eddieodessa - S (age 15) likes to look good, so he is learning how to iron a shirt and a pair of slacks. My mom drilled up that the proper order for a shirt was collar, cuffs, yoke, sleeves, front, back with the larges section and most likely to re-wrinkle coming last. S is my experiential learner and he still vividly remembers when he was 2-3 and I told him not to touch the iron, hot, etc. He describes how the steam circles on the bottom were just too enticing and he reached up and put his finger in one. He got burned, but still thinks it was worth it 'cause he just had to know first hand!</p>