Earlier today, while browsing through coloring books at K-Mart, I heard a mother warn her child that the monster in the next isle would come and get him if he didn’t obey her. My first thought was, “What are people teaching their children?” Threats and lies like that only work for so long before the child learns there is no monster, and his mommy is a liar.

     Later, in the checkout line, the cashier tried to scan the piggybank a little boy had with him to carry his money. His dad laughed and said, “She’s trying to charge you for your money! That’s an oxymoron.” The boy’s immediate response was, “I’m not a moron!” His dad went on to explain what an oxymoron was and to ask him where he had learned the word “moron.” He was shocked to hear he himself had said it before.

     Driving home, I started to think about the things we must learn and then teach others. The extent of the things my students don’t know constantly shock me, and it reminds me that even simple knowledge and manners must be taught before others can be expected to know them. Say thank you when given a gift. Wash your hands after using the restroom. You can’t cheat on your work and then expect to know the answer when it is asked on the test.

     What are we teaching the next generation? Should the social issues we increasingly encounter surprise us?

     On my drive home I started thinking about the simple things I learned and who taught them to me. I made a list and thought I would share some of them with you. What about you? What do you remember learning? What is important for children to know?

1. The joy of giving—Uncle Dave
2. Give gifts that people might actually like and use—my brother, Jon
3. Color in the lines—My preschool teacher (I actually remember learning this lesson)
4. Boogers are alive and should not be eaten—my brother, Jon
5. Electricity is painful and should not be played with—my brothers, Dan and Mike
6. How to change my brakes—my brother, Dan
7. How to install my car’s water pump—my brother, Dan
8. How to change my brake lines—Dan
9. I don’t need to wait for others to help me or do it for me—my brother Dan
10. How to bleed my brakes—YouTube
11. How to drive—my mom, brothers, and sisters
12. How to drive a stick-shift—my sister, Angelika
13. How to drive like a maniac—my brother, Jon
14. Effectively clap for optimal sound—my friends, Jon and Dan
15. How to ride a bike—my dad
16. To find ways to help people before they ask—my kindergarten teacher
17. Write my name in cursive—my grandma
18. To say fire in Spanish—my cousin, Erika
19. How to vaccuum correctly—my dad
20. Greet people and look them in the eyes when walking into a room—my mom
21. How to dribble a soccer ball—my sister, Angelika
22. How to take a good photo—my dad
23. How to shoot a basketball—my brother, Jon
24. The cup game—Caroline, my mentor since 7^th grade
25. The value of spending time with God—Caroline my mentor since 7^th grade
26. Euchre—Terry, Caroline’s husband
27. Love classical music—my dad
28. I could be funny, even if just by accident—my mom
29. To make empanadas and yerba mate—Dori
30. A love for Argentine culture—Dori
31. 1+1=2—My “Big Sister” from our local college
32. Aspirin is a drug, so I was in fact, not drug-free—My cousin, Peter
33.  The definition of gossip and that it was not a good thing to do—Stephanie, a classmate in first grade
34. Africa is not a country, but a continent—my sister, Darlene
35. How to swing dance—my sister, Darlene
36. Sledding does not always require actual sleds; trash bags will suffice—my sister, Darlene
37. Vinegar and baking soda can create enough pressure to cause a soda bottle to explode—my brother, Dave
38. Science is amazing!—my brother, Dave
39. I could write well—my boss, Brenda
40. How to install and wire lights—my brother, Dave
41. To apologize and own up to my mistakes—Jon
42. To stick with one or two general themes when decorating a room—my brother, Jon
43. Don’t eat grapes randomly from a bunch; pick off a small group and eat those so the bunch doesn’t look ugly—my grossmutti
44. How to properly peel a banana—my Aunt Maria
45. How to drink water without making noise—my Uncle Heinz
46. The value of hard work—my dad
47. How to crochet—the lady at the farmer’s market
48. How to cook—my mom
49. A love for books, sports, and basically anything they loved until I was at least 15—my sisters, Angelika and Darlene
50. To appreciate new music and enjoy concerts—my cousin Erika
51. Never hang up on someone, even if you're mad at them; it is the immature thing to do—my brother, Jon