I'm a contemplative type of person. I also have a reasonable recollection of my childhood.
When it comes to education, my belief is that it is a lifelong process. You are always learning. You can find ways to better yourself and it doesn't always have to be boring, or via a book, or obvious that you are learning.
My expectation from my kids is attitude. It is a give and take relationship. They have a voice and an opinion. The need to learn to weigh up their decisions.
My only condition is for their Health & Well Being and, Mindfulness to themselves, and others.
I'm a computer game lover. I do not chastise my children playing computer games. I do moderate how they behave. If their gaming attitude is positive, then, it is ok that they play games. At times, it is obvious that they need a break from gaming, or, fasting from gaming may be a good cleansing act, to drive improvement in neglected areas.
One area, that has taken a while to teach my family, is in recycling. I personally try to minimise the amount of plastics that are used or that end up in landfill.
This is a good way to provide them awareness of their actions & considerations.
Adding to this idea, my son has difficulty with some basic tasks. I also had this issue when I was his age. If I was asked to pour a glass of milk, or walk with a hot cup of tea, or some general household task, I found it quite difficult.
My memories of dealing with my parents, who both had fantastic natural ability, especially my father in using tools, makes me very aware of what it feels like to not be able to master such tasks.
So, for my son, I thought of how can I encourage him, while also improving his skillset.
This gave me the idea of making learning, without learning.
Aluminium cans.
I put my son the task of putting any aluminium cans in the house outside.
Then I had him stomp on the cans to make them flat, and put them in a plastic bag.
At first, he was a little bit reluctant, but his childhood fascination with making can pancakes, gave him a sense of satisfaction.
THere is no wrong way. Just make sure you wear shoes & watch for sharp edges when you pick them up.
And you can take the cans to a scrap merchant for money, when you have collected a substantial amount- keep them in a bag outside, out of mind, out of sight.
THen when we go on walks. What do I see? Discarded cans.
There isn't a huge number, but everytime we go for a walk, we at least find between 1-4 cans. Some have already been squashed by cars.
It is like Pokemon Go - but with a little bit more reward later down the track.
Money For Nothing, Get your SKills for Free.