This is the third entry in a series of articles about preparing Generation Alpha boys for success in life. This article addresses some of the core foundational skills or character traits that will improve a boy's ability to navigate life in a variety of possible futures.
Self-Directed Learning
As the father you have a better idea of what your sons should learn than they do. Some topics are important whether they interest the student or not and you are in a position to ensure they are ingested.
No matter how extensive your teaching is your boys will be on their own for most of their lives. The need to learn will continue.
As learning is a life-long requirement knowing how to learn is a skill that will positively affect many other skills.
Ensuring your sons have experience pursuing their own interests in an effective manner will smooth the transition of power as they grow and give them the confidence to continue the work you have started.
Self Discipline
As with education discipline is a subject you understand better than your boys do. Discipline starts with you -- but it shouldn't end with you.
If you aren't intentional with your discipline your sons will only behave because you make them behave. They won't develop the internal structure that holds them together absent your influence. Society certainly will not teach them self discipline; the wicked systems of the world prefer people who not only need to be told what to do but have no idea that another way exists.
Each child develops along his natural inclination. Some are compliant. Some are rebellious. Some don't seem to even know what is going on. Self discipline isn't a skill like cooking that can simply be conveyed. It must be developed and you can do only so much. But you can do something.
Relationships
Navigating relationships is a life-long process that takes different forms at different stages in life. Everyone needs to do it.
Help your boys learn to relate to others, to form teams and alliances, to fight and make up. Help your boys learn how to be alone.
If possible, ensure your sons have access to wolf packs so they can build reliable relationships with other boys that will last.
Responsible Risk Taking
Young boys seem to be either unnecessarily risk averse or wildly risk happy. I don't see much middle ground.
Living well requires taking on certain risks. Doing so successfully time and time again requires shrewd evaluation of risk and an appreciation of one's own capabilities.
Encouraging your sons to take risks in a controlled setting will go a ways towards tempering their natural tendencies and moving toward a constructive middle ground. Don't punish failure, but convey that failure isn't an acceptable way to live. Let them get learn that injury and pain are okay, but teach them to look for ways around it.
Ensure your boys have the emotional mass to turn down dangerous dares or competitions.
Diet and Fitness
Our culture loses no opportunity to withhold good nutritional and fitness advice from children. For reference see the food pyramid.
A healthy diet and good fitness help a child make the most of his cognitive capacity, make a good impression with others, and generally enjoy life.
Self Defense and Conflict
Being trained to navigate conflict, physical or otherwise, is important for everyone. A boy trained well will neither seek out unnecessary conflict nor be unnecessarily acquiescent. Regular controlled combat will go a long way to address a boy's need to prove himself.
Team sports done right are a valuable part of this.
Acceptance of Discomfort
Discomfort is used to manage people and prompt them to purchase products and ideas.
Learning that discomfort and waiting are okay and getting used to experiencing them expands your son's range of choices and increases his resistance to some forms of control. The man who is willing to endure more discomfort and wait longer than others has life options open to him that others will never even consider.
As with most things living these skills out in your own life is instructive for your children.
What are other core foundational skills I should have addressed but didn't?
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