Look both ways before crossing the street, don’t talk to strangers, and don’t eat the yellow snow are just a few things parents have taught us. A parent’s job is to teach their child all that they know so the child is equipped to handle the world. Parents potty-train their toddlers, teach their teens about money, and discuss investments and insurance with their young adults. At all stages in life, a parent has some form of knowledge to pass down, having been in the same or similar scenario as their offspring. Of course my parents taught me the usual, but I feel like there were a couple bits of information I was taught that maybe not every child learns from ma and pa.
1. Train back then chest, and then work the smaller muscles. Since my dad was a bodybuilder, he’s well equipped with knowledge about training. And when I began going to the gym, he showed me how to properly do workouts and explained why you start with the larger muscles first and save the smaller muscles for last (because the larger muscles, like back and chest and quads, can hang in there longer because there’s more to them than say your triceps). So I get the most out of my workout thanks to my father!
2. Organic food or all natural food tastes differently than processed “food.” This idea seems simple enough and obvious, but until you’ve been raised on 100% pure maple syrup, organic chocolate bars, and home-made popcorn, you won’t understand how true and glaring the difference in taste is. When my friends tell me that Aunt Jemima’s syrup tastes the same as pure maple syrup, I merely shake my head.
3. Real soccer players don’t wear pants. This may seem insane, but in the 14 years I played soccer, I only wore shorts, and to this day if it’s below freezing, you will never see me running in pants. I get a lot of weird looks, but I was taught you bundle up on your upper body, and now I can’t run in pants. This was specific to baggier pants, but those tight under armor leggings, I only wear them if I won’t be doing any physical activity outside.
4. Always be polite. This lesson may be pretty universal, but thank you is now a reflex along with hi, how are you, and have a nice day. Whenever my mom encountered a disgruntled, unhappy cashier, she’d kill them with kindness. Her smile never wavered, and the cashier’s rude behavior never proved to be a problem.
5. The classic bands and musicians from back in the day are still talked about today for a reason. Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Queen, Van Halen, The Beatles, etc are legendary, and not to be compared to other artists of this day and age, and it’s blasphemous to disrespect them. Not liking those artists is fine because it may not be your taste in music, but to compare One Direction to the Beatles or downplay the significance of Guns N’ Roses is unheard of.
6. In your purse, ladies, you should always carry a pen. My mom never leaves the house without her large purse, and there’s always a pen in there. It comes in handy, I’ve needed to grab the pen from my purse countless times, and anyone who is in need of a pen is always grateful.
7. How to properly shuffle cards is a must needed skill. I know so many people who just move the cards around on a table, or they can’t do the bridge when shuffling. Shuffling cards can be calming, but it comes in handy when your friends want to play poker. It also means you’re automatically the one who shuffles the deck.
8. Any gambling game, you should know how to play. Texas Hold’em, blackjack, spades, 5 card draw, spoons, you name it, I most likely was taught the rules and I know how to play. I’m equipped so if money is ever at stake, I know what I’m doing. I won’t be clueless, and if necessary I could hustle anyone.
9. Flossing is so important. After about every meal, my dad flosses, my mom flosses every night, my dad carries floss around with him, hence, I floss about twice a day. Clean teeth are essential, and no one likes to have food caught between their pearly whites.
10. Bigger or bulk can be better. When I shop, I check how much of an item I’m getting and how much it costs, and, for the most part, I try to get the most bang for my buck. For example, when I was purchasing items for college after winter break, it was between one bottle of Axe for $3 dollars, or a pack of two bottles along with a tiny bottle of face wash for about $5. Obviously I bought the two pack.
Live, Laugh, Lyrics 