[September 23, 2026] Some folks will find a bit of humor in the fact that I did learn some things about manhood while growing up in the South. I gained all this knowledge despite my less-than-stellar school performance. I also had a serious lack of focus on those things that bored me (but were nevertheless important), and I got into a few escapades.
Early last year, I wrote about these life lessons, and it was a popular post. Today, I’m re-publishing the list. What I changed were a few that were duplicates or contradictory. Now, it’s a better list. Don’t forget to share your feedback.
I learned many of these “66 lessons for a kid’s life” the hard way, and now I’m sharing a few.
Growing up, I only learned these kids’ lessons, very slowly, sometimes very painfully, but always usefully:
- Don’t make your mother cry.
- If your father throws you into a lake to teach you how to swim, try not to panic.
- Speak right, or you might get held back a grade for being a “dummy.”
- Get yourself some close friends who are smart and tough.
- Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Wrong!
- Teachers are there to help you, so give them your attention.
- The first step to good grades is to stop gazing out the window.
- Being a scaredy-cat can be forever.
- When your little brother (or sister) hits you, do not hit him back. Family is not a bully.
- Don’t light the fuse of a firecracker while holding it in your hand.
- If you receive a gift, treat it as something very special. That gift is not wrong, replaceable, or beneath you.
- Learn to spit into a bullseye, throw a knife, whistle, make a slingshot, pitch pennies, find a four-leaf clover, roller skate, and do tricks with a yo-yo.
- You won’t be picked first in school for team games; just don’t be last.
- If you break something not yours, own up to it.
- Pigs, cows, and donkeys are smart and can remember you. Don’t make ‘em mad.
- Dogs make the best companions. Get a dog.
- Learn how to fish, hunt, swim, ski, start a fire, row a boat, navigate, identify constellations, and live off the land.
- Learn how to read, write, and do arithmetic.
- Get involved in team sports and practice good sportsmanship.
- Don’t pull girls’ hair or try to kiss them without their approval.
- Try not to step in dog poop.
- Take a bath regularly.
- Stay fit and brush your teeth. This requires effort.
- If the table is set, you’re not finished until the dishes are done.
- If you find a nickel on the sidewalk, it still belongs to whoever dropped it.
- Get to know your grandparents. You owe them everything.
- Your siblings are forever, so create as strong a bond as possible.
- Learn to share your toys.
- Never talk behind someone’s back; they will find out, then there’s hell to pay.
- Have real heroes, not cartoon superheroes.
- Smile more, have a firm handshake, and hold your head up.
- If a veteran says “Back in my day…,” sit down. You are about to hear how the world was protected from evil.
- A baby alligator is not a pet.
- Something will always go wrong. Be ready.
- Never let a bully intimidate you. It’s better to go down fighting than be a wimp.
- Don’t put all your marbles in one pocket with a hole.
- Let people know where you stand; that should always be on the right moral side.
- Act like someone you would like to be.
- The world is full of fools, charlatans, idiots, and thieves. Don’t be one.
- Don’t get cocky or be a show-off.
- Close the gate. Every time. The cow doesn’t care that you are in a hurry.
- Learn how to fistfight the biggest kid because you will need that ability.
- Snitching on bullies and your friends doesn’t work out, unless someone is in real danger.
- Never lie, cheat, or steal. Ever.
- Don’t throw dirt clods at hornets’ nests. They are faster than you.
- When going out to milk the cows, watch out for rattlesnakes.
- Be ready to scrape your knuckles when fixin’ Doodle Bug tractors.
- Say “yes sir” and “no sir” and “thank you.”
- Going barefoot and shirtless is fun.
- Don’t be freaked out by the sight of blood or the experience of a broken arm.
- The hard way will teach you, but take the easy way when it’s offered.
- Resist peer pressure to conform to the latest fads, fashions, or promises of fun.
- Don’t throw rocks at cars.
- Learn to put a tent up in the dark.
- Stand when the American flag passes. Put your hand over your heart during the Pledge.
- Swimming with snakes is okay. Do not swim with alligators.
- When you’re wrong, apologize like you mean it.
- Never forget a birthday if you can help it.
- Help your mama when she asks, and never complain.
- Don’t brag.
- Don’t slam the screen door.
- Return what you borrow. Do it immediately.
- Make your bed every morning, and don’t wait to be told.
- Practice telling good stories.
- Praise God. Never forget Him. Follow His lead.
- It’s better to be poor and have good people around than to be rich and have no one.
And a bonus: Be home for supper.
————
Please read my books: