Ten years ago, I'd probably have had an answer to this question. Self-assertion, perhaps, or kindness, or the ability to communicate matters of importance.
Now, however, I simply can't answer the question. There is no one skill. It depends entirely on the child in question. For one child, I desire more self-awareness and less passivity. For another, a little more tolerance of loved ones' imperfections. For a third, the wisdom to distinguish between constructive and destructive friendships.
They don't all need all of these. Two of them are quite active; only one battles (or doesn't!) passivity. They probably won't all need these things ten years from now.
I hope they don't! I hope they've grown beyond these concerns -- and into different ones, I'm sure... Life's like that!
