As a person, I have my shortcomings, fears and insecurities. I lack confidence, struggle with some anxiety and have emotional baggage from childhood that I'm still lugging around.

But as a parent, I definitely do not want the same for my son, I only want the best for him. I want him to have the best possible start in life. I want him to be better than me, to have a better future and achieve all the dreams that he has. I want him to have everything I didn't - emotionally, mentally and physically.

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want them to grow up happy, healthy, confident and so much more.

That's why we do everything we can to teach them the things that matter most. We want to equip them with the skills, values, and attitudes that will help them navigate the ups and downs of life. We want to instil in them a sense of resilience, compassion, and purpose. We want them to have the tools they need to succeed in whatever they choose to do.

So I share here 21 of the most important things we could all teach our children, at the same, for me at least, it serves as a reminder that it's never too late to better myself.

It all does start with us, as their role models. Our children learn through our actions, and our words.

01. Love and Kindness

Teach your child to be kind and loving towards others, including family, friends, and strangers. Encourage them to show empathy and understanding towards others and to help those in need.

02. Respect

Teach your child to respect themselves, others, and the world around them. Encourage them to treat others the way they would like to be treated and to be mindful of their actions and words.

03. Responsibility

Teach your child to take responsibility for their actions and to be accountable for their mistakes. Encourage them to develop a strong work ethic and to take pride in their accomplishments.

04. Courage

Teach your child to be brave and to face challenges with confidence. Encourage them to take risks and learn from their failures.

05. Perseverance

Teach your child never to give up, even when things get tough. Please encourage them to keep trying and to believe in themselves.

06. Independence

Teach your child to be independent and self-sufficient. Encourage them to develop their own interests and to take care of themselves.

07. Honesty

Teach your child to be honest and to tell the truth. Encourage them to be open and transparent in their communication with you and with others.

08. Gratitude

Teach your child to be grateful for what they have and to appreciate the people and things in their lives. Encourage them to express their gratitude and give back to others. It can be adopted into a daily ritual you both can do together.

09. Forgiveness

Teach your child to forgive others and to let go of anger and resentment. Encourage them to practice empathy and understanding towards others.

10. Confidence

Teach your child to believe in themselves and to have confidence in their abilities. Encourage them to pursue their dreams and never give up on themselves.

11. Communication

Teach your child how to communicate effectively, both verbally and nonverbally. Encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings in a respectful and constructive way.

12. Empathy

Teach your child to put themselves in others' shoes and to understand their perspectives. Encourage them to be compassionate and caring towards others.

13. Creativity

Teach your child to embrace their creativity and to think outside the box. Encourage them to express themselves through art, music, writing, or other forms of creative expression.

14. Critical thinking

Teach your child to think critically and to analyze information and ideas. Encourage them to question assumptions and to form their own opinions.

15. Time management

Teach your child how to manage their time effectively and to prioritize their responsibilities. Encourage them to develop good habits and routines.

16. Health and wellness

Teach your child the importance of taking care of their physical and mental health. Encourage them to eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and practice self-care.

17. Financial literacy

Teach your child about money management, budgeting, and saving. Encourage them to develop good financial habits from a young age.

18. Environmental awareness

Teach your child to be mindful of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Encourage them to be responsible stewards of the planet.

19. Cultural Awareness and Diversity

Teach your child about different cultures, traditions, and customs. Encourage them to be respectful of diversity and to embrace the differences that make us unique. Teach them to celebrate diversity and to learn from people from different backgrounds.

20. Problem-solving

Teach your child how to identify and solve problems in a constructive way. Encourage them to brainstorm solutions, evaluate their options, and make informed decisions. Teach them that it's okay to make mistakes and that failure is a necessary part of the learning process. By teaching your child problem-solving skills, you'll help them develop resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles in life.

21. Dealing with Adversity

Teach your child how to cope with adversity and overcome challenges. Encourage them to develop a growth mindset and to see obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Teach them to be resilient and bounce back from setbacks, and seek help when needed. By teaching your child how to deal with adversity, you'll help them develop the mental and emotional strength to navigate life's ups and downs with confidence and grace.

By teaching your child these, you can help them develop a well-rounded set of skills and values that will serve them well throughout their lives and help them grow to be happy, successful and compassionate individuals.

The most important point is to remember to lead by example and to reinforce these values through our own actions and word.

Also, parenting is a lifelong journey, and there are always new things to learn and teach along the way.

What are some of the most important things you teach your children?