• Have a ton of raw, fresh food around that we prepare for every meal. Not that there aren't going to be snacks, but even snacks should be fresh, wholesome food. And have all sorts of cuisines and all sorts of unexpected food combinations that make up balanced meals, the way I was raised.
• Stop having gender stereotypes about what clothes to buy, the hairstyles worn, the toys, extracurricular activities, etc. And never use the word "should," esp about the way they look or dress.
• Spend a lot of time outdoors. Go to art museums, science museums, and national and state parks, and read all the informational plaques to learn about things. Go to the playground, bicycle, hike, or to the beach at least every weekend as well, also the way I was raised.
• Go on family vacations at least every summer and every winter. Go on road trips to explore the world, again, the way I was raised. Travel outside the US once a year.
• Read to them. A lot. And have fun with doing it, not, like, ~srs business.
• Go to the public library at least once a month, if not every week, to get a ton of books, the way I used to do. Limit television and computer time (gently).
• Work on homework together while elementary school, but stop doing that in middle school if they seem to be doing well independently.
• Have a bedtime while in elementary and middle school.
• Learn to swim if they don't object horribly, possibly by taking swimming lessons.
• Definitely try many different sports.
• Go to the park at least once every weekend and play football and soccer and baseball and volleyball and badminton and tennis and all the sports before they go to school, so they get an idea of how each sport works and so they don't get picked last for teams, unlike my experience.
• Learn to love the earth by reduce / reuse / recycle. Have recycling and compost bins, and teach them to use them. Bring reusable containers, particularly water bottles and lunch containers. Use both sides of paper. Don't waste, including food. Turn off lights and appliances while you aren't using them. Use reusable bags when shopping.
• Take them grocery shopping, so they know how food looks and learn how to be thrifty and choose between brands or options. Also take them shopping in general, including clothes, so they appreciate the value of money.
• Don't give allowances, at least until high school. Tell them to ask you for money. That way, they would think, "What would mommy do?" and have to negotiate / justify to themselves whether a purchase would be worth it.
• Be involved in school activities, such as sports games, performances, parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights, and potlucks. Or at least until they get too embarrassed of me.
• Visit grandparents a lot so they form close relationships with them. At least once each during spring break and winter break, and twice during summer break, if we live very far away (more than half a day of driving).
• Allow their room to get messy as long as things aren't spoiling / smelling in there. No languishing food or laundry.
• Let them experiment with anything (hair color, makeup, fashion) as long as it's not permanent. Unless they're not a minor anymore. Seriously, I don't even care. There are much worse things kids can do to themselves, even if it is permanent. So what if a couple hypothetical employers somewhere in the distant future judges them? My kids are going to be fabulous enough to (a) be hired by the billions of other employers who will see them for the wonderful individuals they are, and (b) know that their opinions don't matter.
• Go to the doctor, dentist, and optometrist yearly for check-ups. And don't hesitate to go to the doctor when things seem abnormal.
• No spanking ever. Remove the kid from the situation and let the tantrum happen, then talk about it. Time out for ten or fifteen minutes by sitting in a chair in an empty room, or take away TV or computer privileges if you really have to have consequences.
• Let them paint their bedroom walls and do what they want with their own space.
• Let them dress themselves.
• Let them sleep in your bed if they want.
• Buy non-electronic toys until they get to, say, second grade. If they need a computer or television, let them borrow yours for the night.
• Take pictures and video of everything.
• Pack lunches for them and write a little note inside.
• Cook and bake with them.
• Go to every school activity they invite you to.
• Model how to share and take turns, and also to go up to people and start talking, so that they are able to engage in the playground with other kids.
• Try to explain which adults to trust and which are dangerous. Tell them it's okay to scream and run away if they don't feel right about an adult.
• Tell them to try their best at everything, to never let anybody get them down, to know that they can do whatever they want, to think outside the box and keep on being curious about anything and everything, to know that it's okay to be whoever you are, to not be afraid of anything, esp failure, and, most importantly, to love everyone and everything, esp yourself. And that their mommy always loves them, and would always forgive them and be there for them, no matter what. :3
• P.S. Secret kitchen aspiration lol.
• I'm totally going to be the best parent ever.

http://lydianetzer.blogspot.com/2012/07/10-best-marriage-vows-you-never-hear-at.html