[January 5, 2025] Some folks will find a bit of humor in the fact that I did learn some things growing up. All this knowledge Was gained 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 was involved in a few escapades. Many of these rules for a kid’s life, I learned the hard way and now I’m sharing them.
Growing up, I only learned these 55 kid’s lessons, slowly, sometimes painfully, but always usefully:
- Speak right, or you might get held back a grade for being a “retard.”
- 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.
- School can be good for you, but only if you apply yourself.
- The first step to good grades is to stop gazing out the window.
- Being a scary-cat can be forever.
- When your little brother (or sister) hits you, do not hit him back.
- Don’t light the fuse of a firecracker while holding it in your hand.
- Learn to spit into a bullseye, throw a knife, whistle, make a slingshot, pitch pennies, find a four-clover, roller skate, and do tricks with a yo-yo.
- If your father throws you into a lake to teach you how to swim, try not to panic.
- You won’t be picked first in school for team games, just don’t be last.
- Learn how to start a fire, but also how to put out a grass fire.
- Pigs, cows, and donkeys are smart and can remember. Don’t make ‘em mad.
- Dogs make the best companions. Get a dog.
- Learn how to fish, hunt, swim, ski, row a boat, navigate, and live off the land.
- Learn how to read, write, and do arithmetic. Don’t cheat.
- Get involved in sports.
- Practice good sportsmanship.
- Don’t pull girls’ hair or try to kiss them without their approval.
- Do not fear the school Principal.
- Take a bath regularly.
- Stay fit. This requires effort.
- Treat others as if they were your mom and dad.
- Get to know your grandparents. You owe them everything.
- Your parents are to be treated with the utmost kindness and love.
- 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 heroes – real heroes, not cartoon superheroes.
- Smile more, have a firm handshake, and hold your head up high.
- Go to your school’s games and don’t leave early. Loyalty matters.
- Be prepared for the unexpected. Use your brain to figure it out. Be ready.
- Something will always go wrong. You must at least try to fix it.
- Never let a bully intimidate you. It’s better to go down fighting than be a wimp.
- Fear can be controlled with effort and practice.
- Let people know where you stand; that should always be on the right 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.
- Be extra good to your family, friends, and neighbors.
- Learn how to fistfight the biggest kid because you will need that ability.
- Know how to deal with bullies. Snitching on them doesn’t work.
- Never lie, cheat, or steal.
- 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 experience of a broken arm.
- Learning the hard way is stupid.
- Resist peer pressure to conform to the latest fads and fashions.
- Praise God. Never forget Him. Follow His lead.
- Practice telling good stories.
- It’s better to be poor and have good people around, than to be rich and have no one.
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NOTE: See all my letters here: https://www.theleadermaker.com/granddaughter-letters/
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Please read my books:
I’m one of those who have been enamored with Gen. Satterfield’s letters to his granddaughter and I’m very happy to read another, very unexpected. Thank you sir for this tidbit.
To all: you just can’t beat Gen. Satterfield’s lessons, regardless of when or where he got them. He is a real stickler for giving us the best. A few of us have suggested others, great, keep it up. The more “rules” that we can read through and just maybe adopt, the better for us all. One of them from me, after seeing all the crazy liberal heads exploding, is that everyone needs to stay calm and not do stupid things, like put up videos showing how dumb you are. Just my thought for the day.
Pooch, you bet. This is why i’m such a huge fan of Gen. Satterfield and his blog is on point each day. I also agree with you and others that maybe we could add our own suggestions to his list.
I love them.
And maybe, just maybe more than even the adult version.
Thank you Sir!
Take a bath. Now, my mom would approve.
Loving this series of love articles for Gen. Doug Satterfield’s granddaughter. I hope she enjoys them for her entire life and is guided by them before she reaches adulthood. That is how to make an impact as a grandparent.
Great list, thanks sir.
POWERFUL
35. Never let a bully intimidate you. It’s better to go down fighting than be a wimp.
Big lesson here for teachers and school administrators.
I agree, powerful, but teachers today and their administrators are too woke to change. They are going to have to be forced through good leadership to change their discrimination DEI behavior. Gen. Satterfield is attacking DEI here but doesn’t tell us he is doing it.
Yep, and the more like this, the better. I think we all have been here long enough reading these articles to k now that Gen. S. doesn’t mess around. I like it, for example, when he called GEN (ret) Mark Milley the “most hated General in America.” I’m proud that he names names. Keep it up.
Now, sir, I did get a laugh from some of these ‘rules’ and would like to see you give us some more in the near future. I’m a big fan of your leadership blog, so please continue with interesting and educational material. I get more out of this blog than I do my college classes. That to the side, I did love ❤ your series on your granddaughter. If you are able to come up with another like this, I would appreciate it. Thanks again. Best wishes to you and your wife and family on this new year.
Now that’s alot of skills to learn (for a kid any way) and things “not” to do while you’re a kid. But, as we know from Gen. Satterfield’s “55 Rules for a Good Life” book, this is a great start. Kids don’t have a philosophy or firm value for what drives them, so it is more likely emotional drivers. We see that whenever a kid has a tantrum in the grocery store and the mom running to do anything to stop that irresponsible behavior. Kids need boundaries and standards. This list by Gen. Satterfield is an excellent start. I’m sure there are many more. Here is one for the road, “Don’t go swimming alone.” Now that works.
Good comment, Jerome. Yes, we do need to learn lessons and that doesn’t in any way stop when we read adulthood and the reason for Gen. Satterfield’s book. Thanks for the reminder.
Surprised me, sir. I thought this series was over. But, I was very entertained reading these kid’s lessons. We all learned to be good or be bad. And here we are today.
Top notch rules for kids.
43. Know how to deal with bullies. Snitching on them doesn’t work.
This one I found interesting and perhaps you could expound upon it for us. In schools today that is the top-down solution. Report the bully so action can be taken. But, naturally, nothing much will happen. The real solution at the kid level is to directly confront the bully. Stand up to the bullies and they will leave you alone.
😁😁😁😁😁
Gen. Satterfield, thanks. You surprised me this morning reading this just as I turned on my computer which I do just to read your daily articles. I’m a huge fan, of course and an American Patriot just like you and like so many who work hard to make the lives of others better. I’m also sure your granddaughter is going to appreciate these letters and all your relatives.
👍👍👍👍👍
Yes, American Girl.. I think that’s why most of us are here in his leadership forum.
💥💥💥 Pow. Nailed it. 💥💥💥
Nice one, Gen. S. I got a good chuckle out of them.
Here is another — Ride your bike with friends.
Gen. Satterfield you surprised me with this add-on Letter to Your Granddaughter. Thank you, sir. That was a great series, nothing like it before.
Hi Jack. If you want to read more about how Gen. Satterfield thinks – impacted by his upbringing – then read his books, especially “55 rules for a good life.” That book is a super guide for anyone but it really is useful for young people. The link is just below his articles on each post.
Expert opinion here. Thanks Erica. Here is a review of his book:
Jerry Strauss
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
55 Rules for a Good Life is a must read by everyone. It is extremely well written, an easy read and makes you think about how you have lived your life but more importantly how you can improve and reach goals you never thought you could reach. Getting the insight from Brigadier General Doug Satterfield, a very successful military soldier, and a devoted family man, gives true meaning why the 55 Rules will give you a new positive outlook to your life after finishing the book.