Raising children isn't easy, and you make many mistakes along the way.

I raised my son to have morals and values, to be eager to learn and laugh, and don't ever take yourself to seriously.

Education is a priority, we told him to get ahead in this world not only would he have to study and get good grades, he would have to set goals for himself. We told him he would make mistakes, but that's how you learn. We also made it clear that are some mistakes he should never make.

We told him the world isn't always kind or fair, and he would have to learn to stand on his own 2 feet.

We told him that with some people respect is earned, but you should always carry yourself with self respect, dignity and a sense of what is right and wrong.

To be kind, polite, helpful, when to walk away and when to make a stand.

I pity the fool who mistakes my son's kindness with weakness.

When you're a parent the biggest fear you can have is someone else hurting your child.

Building self esteem and self confidence is  paramount when raising a child.

 

Many of the mistakes we told him to never make.

Keep your hands to yourself.

Don't take or touch anything that doesn't belong to you.

Be respectful to teachers, police, peers and strangers.

Don't use her, lie to her, don't hurt her and for the love of God, don't tick her off.

Stay away from drugs and alcohol.

 

Things we never said.

Not once did we compare him to someone else.

He has never been hit or spanked, we do not call him stupid mf'er or lazy.

We do not spend time telling him how much someone else is going to hate him because of the color of his eye's or skin.

We do not tell him the police will be after him because they think you are a drunk, stupid, lazy, thief .

When you pound it into a kids head that he's going to be hated, when you constantly call your kid bad names.

You screw that kid up.

When you raise kids in a negative environment, they grow up that way.

Raise your kids with love, respect and always be willing to listen.