10 Before 10

10 Before 10 refers to ten areas of development, or learning, that we as parents need to teach our children or use as guidelines while raising our children, before they reach the age of 10. These are not steps or stages; they are more like goals that on a daily basis we work toward helping our children master. We may even find that we have to work on our own mastery of these areas of life at the same time. That’s okay because being a parent is just another stage of becoming a better human being, and learning how to love.

Why before 10 years old?

In the first 10 years of a child’s life they are naturally more open to what parents tell them and have a strong desire for parental approval. After 10 years old the child is moving more outward, looking to learn from the world and seeking peer approval. We live in a crazy mixed up world, so before your child becomes swamped with a worldly education you want to make sure that they can stand on their own two feet and bravely evaluate their choices before making decisions and taking action. Working on these 10 areas of development in your daily life with your children will give them the strength to resist peer pressure and make lifelong healthy choices.

Even if your children are over 10 these topics can still be helpful in guiding your teens, it’s never too late. As our kids get older we have to change the way we approach subjects or give guidance, but we still need to reinforce these 10 areas of development. Grandparents can also be very essential in helping to reinforce the lessons of 10 Before 10.

Below is the list of the 10 Before 10 topics, which are linked to the posts I have written on each topic. (If the title is not linked it means I have not written that post yet.)

1. Self Sufficiency
2. Cleanliness
3. Responsibility
4. Kindness
5. Teamwork
6. Compassion
7. Morality & Ethics
8. Respect
9. Productivity
10. Creativity

I hope you enjoy these posts and I'd be happy to hear your comments on them.