list of qualities i would like my children to possess at the age of 30

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list of qualities i would like my children to possess at the age of 30

My community has begun to cultivate a parent community through a series of workshops held in a local school. I went to the first one and came away with several things that I have stored away. One of my favorite things we did was to participate in an exercise where our facilitator asked us what qualities we would like to see in our children at the age 30. We closed our eyes and imagined our fresh-faced children as adults, then yelled out adjectives as she scribbled them furiously onto a large flip pad. When she was done, we looked at the pad and she said, “These are all great qualities. In order for your children to own them, parents must consistently model them.” Children learn from their parents. We are their greatest influences on behavior. Here are some of the qualities that made it on the flip board.

Qualities I want for my children when they are 30 | ListPlanIt.com

Honest
Hard-working
Responsible
Kind
Generous
Reliable
Happy
Loving
Self-Confident
Self-Aware

Not one person mentioned a big house or a fancy car. We all seemed to agree that seeing our children happy would be one of our greatest joys. What qualities do you hope to see in your child(ren) at the age of 30?

5 responses to “list of qualities i would like my children to possess at the age of 30”

Ann(ie) says:
February 16, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Love this!!
the Shipe's says:
February 14, 2009 at 5:43 pm
love this! What a great idea & I think I'll post these & other things on my fridge, so we always know our direction as a family. thanks!
Debra Snider says:
February 13, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Great list! I would add "Independent" and move up the time frame. No reason people can't learn, model & understand the importance of these characteristics far younger than age 30.
Brethart77 says:
February 13, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Brethart’s perspective –
I believe that the period from 3 – 13 is the “perception” decade – where you really only develop how you percieve your environment and develop the core values that you will keep with you your entire life.
The real character development is accomlished by 33 – being the decade from 13 – 33 is the “self discovery” decade – Where you discover who you are (strengths, weaknesses…what you like, dislike.
From 33 – 43 is the time period where you have the opportunity to overcome that prior development if needed. It seems that once you’re 43 the desire and sometimes ability to overcome that development has dwindled.
So, for your younger children – show them “how the world works – and what their place is in the world – help them decide what is right and what is wrong – what is good and what is bad – why they should be polite and nice – when they should not. Show them how adults should act and how children should act…”
For your older children find opportunities for them to discover what they can and can’t do – what they like and dislike. Allow them to take risks – let them exceed and fail at anything they want to accomplish – be patient with this process.
For your adult children, realize that they already know what they should and shouldn’t do – support them as they decide and discover what they really want out of thier lives.
Maria@Conversationswithmoms says:
February 13, 2009 at 12:35 pm
It sounds like a great community. What a great idea to participate in workshops. I’m sure with all the effort you are putting into helping become a better parent, your children will have all those qualities and more.