Frederick Jace
Raising children is a huge challenge and one of the most important responsibilities many people ever face. It is important for young children, in particular, to experience positive lessons during their formative years since these will create the foundations of their personality and attitude towards themselves and the world. As a parent, it is up to you to provide these lessons and guide your kids towards being capable, confident adults. Here are four of the most important lessons that you can instill into your children.
- Honesty
Being open and honest is a valuable quality to possess. When children learn that being honest is not punished but rewarded, they will come to see that telling the truth makes life easier. When kids first learn how to lie, they will understandably want to experiment with what it feels like to make something up or give wrong information on purpose. This is perfectly normal and usually harmless, but make sure that your children know they can tell the truth without fear of negative repercussions.
- Resilience
Life can be tough at times, and your kids need to learn how to cope with challenges they might face as they grow up. You can prepare them for this by setting a good example of resilience. Instead of either allowing a crisis to overwhelm you or bottling up and pretending that you are unaffected, show that it is fine to find something challenging but that you will get through it. It reassures kids to learn that problems can be overcome.
- Generosity
Teaching your kids to be kind to others, even if they don’t know the person, is one of the most valuable lessons they can learn. Children who are taught to understand other people’s feelings and want to offer help when possible grow up to be well-respected and fulfilled adults. You can demonstrate generosity for your children by showing them how you share with others or volunteer for a good cause. Perhaps you donate to a veterans charity
and can explain to your kids why it’s worthwhile to help people in need. You don’t need to try and become a saint, but kids learn by watching and they will mimic your kindness out in the world.
- Independent Thinking
Thinking for themselves is yet another essential lesson that your kids will hugely benefit from. Children who can solve problems and express their ideas confidently are more likely to grow up with healthy levels of self-esteem and the ability to make themselves heard by others. Teach your kids the value of questioning the world around them and coming to their own conclusions based on the information they can find. It might sound advanced but young children are smarter than people give them credit for.
Parenting is something that can’t be done perfectly, so expecting to be flawless at it will only cause you frustration and disappointment. Be patient not only with your children but also with yourself as you navigate the world of raising kids to be happy, healthy people.
