Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1 NIV
Make a list of the things you want your kids to know by the time they are 18 years old.
It may feel overwhelming to implement a list like this. You might feel like it is too much to accomplish, especially if you are starting late. My advice is to choose one item on your list and just start. Rotate through them every week and find teachable moments throughout the week to reinforce each idea. Understand that each of the items on your list is a long-term project. Just like teaching math, you have to start simple and build from there. Counting before adding. Subtraction before multiplication and division. If you keep at it, you will be surprised how quickly the concepts build.
I introduce each idea as soon as my kids are ready. It becomes natural to discuss why we do what we do. Real life has an endless string of inflection points where choices are made. When I explain to my kids why I am doing something, I am seizing an opportunity to build skills. Later, I have them explain to me why they are doing what they are doing. Soon, I hear them repeating back the lessons I taught them months and years before. Keep at it and soon you will see the growth in your kids. By the time your children reach launch time, they will be ready!
Starting late is not the same as starting too late. Kids are learning machines. They can absorb these principles quickly. Just go for it. The rewards of success are great. The consequences of their ignorance are dire. Spend the time. Invest. Prepare them for the future.
