Parents, please teach your children as I try to teach mine….

• There is no substitute for hard work. If you cut corners, avoid doing things well, you will probably have to pay for it in the future.

• “Please” and “thank you” are beautiful words and they should be used as often as possible.

• Don’t interrupt adults who are having a conversation – and saying “excuse me” as you interrupt doesn’t make the interruption acceptable.

• Wear clean clothes, use deodorant, and brush your teeth – do all this without having to be reminded.

• Stand up for adults when they enter a room; offer your seat to adults if all seats are taken, open doors for adults. Stand back.

• Ask politely for what you need; don’t demand what you need.

• Listen when people talk to you. Checking your phone in the middle of a face-to-face conversation is rude.

• Although you may not think it is so, your elders have a lot to teach you and you have a lot to learn.

• When you are more aware of your rights than you are aware of your responsibilities the imbalance will ultimately lead you into trouble.

• Earn more money than you spend – it’s as simple as that – or you will land yourself in trouble.