As unpleasant as it is for parents to see their child fail in any area, it is an important life skill that kids need to have. Parents want to give their kids everything and to help them win, but they can’t always be there to make things right. Kids who grow up always winning will not understand or know how to handle a difficult circumstance or how to correct something they have done wrong. Kids need to learn to fail and how to pick themselves back up again.

People used to gather at the dining room table and eat a meal together. There were no smartphones and the TV wasn’t on. Families used to eat together and talk to each other about their day. They communicated and listened to one another.

Children used to be polite. They were taught to say please and thank you. Common courtesies like holding the door for someone or giving up their place in line are things you just don’t see anymore. Sadly, younger generations are all about “me” and that is a hard cycle to break.

Sure, kids today still have some chores, but they get paid allowance. Children used to have to do chores around the house, for nothing, but just to help out. Teaching children how to do chores without expecting anything in return helps them build a good work ethic that is hard to come by these days.

Kids used to play in the dirt and make mud pies. They used to play outside until it got dark and run out and jump in the rain puddles. There are actually studies out now that say that playing in the dirt is good for your immune system and can help fight against allergies.

“A child should be seen, not heard.” This saying dates back hundreds of years, but a generation or two ago, this was still in practice. Kids were expected to be quiet and respectful in the presence of adults. They didn’t run around screaming and yelling. They behaved nicely and were considerate of their surroundings.

There is a distressing study out that says that children do not fun as fast as children did years ago and the reason is that they are carrying too much body fit. Kids aren’t as active as they used to be with so many distractions and technology available at their fingertips.

Being bored builds a sense of curiosity and teaches children how to entertain themselves. As parents, it’s easy to just hand over a tablet to keep kids occupied. But always reaching for the tablet when boredom strikes is taking the easy way out. Kids need to learn to think outside the box and need to learn that they do not have to be entertained every second of the day.

It was thought many years ago that listening to classical music made babies smarter. While this may not necessarily be true, it is important for kids to be exposed to a wide variety of music. And certainly learning to play instruments is a valuable skill that teaches patience and creativity.

“Yes, Sir. Yes, Ma’am.” You never hear these words anymore. Kids used to address their elders by Mr. and Mrs. These terms of respect were taught at an early age and in many cultures, even more emphasis was placed on respecting elders. Sadly, this is a skill that so many kids today are lacking.

Small things like picking up after themselves and problem-solving are important life skills that children need to develop. If kids are constantly being helped, they won’t gain the confidence of learning how to do new things.

Screens, phones and tablets are the new pacifiers. Kids today are so innodated with technology and things to keep them busy that many children are lacking in basic communication skills. Many children do not know what to without some form of entertainment and are missing out on important skills of how to be alone.

“Hey Siri, call mom.” Even as an adult, I only have a few numbers memorized and if I was in a real emergency without my phone, I’d be in big trouble. But I can still remember my parents home phone number from when I was little. According to a study done a few years ago, the average kid gets their first smartphone when they are just 10 years old. There is no need to have a bank of phone numbers locked down in memory.

Thank-you notes are almost a thing of the past. Sure, we still see them after weddings or showers, but getting a thank you note for a birthday gift or a fun event is something that does not happen anymore. Kids were expected to say thank you and show appreciation for what they were given.

Today’s culture is filled with instant gratification. Online ordering, drive-up service, home deliveries, and instant downloads are all things that have come about in the last 10 or so years. Kids do not have to wait for anything anymore and it causes them to lose appreciation for the things they have.