Opinion Column: Parents are the Best Teachers
“Children learn to smile from their parents.”
This is one of my favorite quotes.
In our society, teachers are thought of as people who impart knowledge and wisdom to children. While teachers do play a vital role in children’s lives and provide them with great amounts of knowledge, I think the role of a parent often get overlooked. Parents may not teach their kids how to find the lateral surface area of a hexagonal prism, but they are responsible for teaching kids morality and how an individual is supposed to act.
Our parents build our character and shape us into who we are today. In my eyes, parents are the best kind of teacher.
One thing that I really remember from when I was about a preschooler was when I made my mom a macaroni necklace. I remember how much time it took and how tedious this task was. When I was done, as I was holding it up to admire my work, I noticed that it probably wasn’t the most “trendy” piece of jewelry. I was even a little nervous that my mom wouldn’t like it. But when I got home and gave it to her, her eyes immediately lit up, and she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! I love it!” I can still remember how proud I was of it when she wore it to work the next day.
This lesson taught me appreciation. It’s little lessons and teachings like these that really teach a child the appropriate way to act. Looking back now, I realize she probably wasn’t wowed by a string strung with noodles as much as she acted like she was. With this realization, she also instilled in me how to be thoughtful and mindful of others’ hard work and accomplishments. Although others’ accomplishments may not seem like a big feat to you, the individual could have put a lot of time and effort into the task he or she chose to do.
Parents teach their children imperative life skills, such as resilience, self-discipline, friendship, honesty, courage, and kindness. Out of all of those qualities, in my opinion the most valuable and special is friendship. No matter what happens throughout your life, you will always have a special bond and connection with your parents that nobody can take away. Your parents are your first real relationship in your life, as well as your first friendship. They impact how you treat others and form friends throughout your life. Especially as you grow older, this concept of friendship will begin to be more and more familiar, and your bond with your parents will just keep growing stronger.
While appreciation and friendship are important lessons, I believe the most important lesson my parents have taught me is that they will always be there for me no matter what. No matter what happens or what crazy situation pops up, I know will always have my back.
While teachers, in my mind, teach our students so much and do so much for our community’s children, I believe that the best teachers out there are our parents.