GOLD, jewels, stocks, bonds and real estate can all be good investments, but your children are the wisest investment you'll ever make.

GOLD, jewels, stocks, bonds and real estate can all be good investments, but your children are the wisest investment you'll ever make.

Teaching your children to be well-rounded individuals will help them out in the long run to fit into and contribute to society.

Giving your children the right skills and knowledge can be one of the most rewarding and wisest choices you'll ever make. Parents can work with their children at a young age helping them develop skills that will last a lifetime.

There are a number of areas in which parents can help their children develop.

Some of these areas would include: a good work ethic, ability to work and interact with others in many settings, good ethics and respect for the laws of the land, good understanding of financial matters and learning at a young age to work toward financial independence.

A good work ethic is a skill that is developed over time.

Teach your children to work hard and do their chores. Young children should be given chores or small jobs to do. By doing this, your children will learn responsibility and learn not to quit when the going gets rough.

Children that have been taught the skills of getting along with others in different social settings will have an advantage later on in life.

The advantage will come into play when they interact with other people in business, social, and financial settings.

Helping your children to develop good ethics for the country and laws of the land is very important.

If your children see you obeying the laws of the land, including paying your taxes, they will see that this is important. Talk to your children about the laws of the land.

Tell them that you may not always agree with all the laws, but nonetheless they are the laws and must be followed.

Let them know that as citizens there is a process that can be followed to change the laws.

Discuss with your children why we pay taxes. As your children understand that tax money is what supports the government and a lot of the programmes we have in society, they will begin to understand the importance of paying taxes.

Volunteering time for community activities will help your children gain the spirit of community service. As your children serve in the community they are more likely to become better citizens.

Financial independence is a goal we all should be working for. It is very important that you teach your children ways to become financially independent.

They are most likely to learn these skills from you as the parents.

While your children are young make them aware of what you are doing in your investments and long-term financial planning.

When your children get older let them get involved in your financial planning and help them to do some of their own investing.

If you are willing to invest in your children's future, they can develop a good work ethic, build good social skills, become outstanding citizens in their local communities and become financially independent. - simplejoe.com