| Teaching your children values will help them make | | | | could do anything you felt like what would it be? If you |
| good choices in their lives. Today's world is ever | | | | could choose to spend your weekend shopping or |
| changing and very fast paced. In years past children | | | | donating your time to a hotline what would you |
| grew up in a small community or with just their families | | | | choose? The way you answer these question reveals |
| and their challenges were much different. As a parent | | | | some of your values. Are you happy with your |
| your influence over your children has been diminished | | | | answers? |
| and so you need to try extra hard to instill good values | | | | 4. Monthly family meeting. This can be over dinner, at a |
| in them. | | | | park or in your home. Focus on your children. Ask |
| 1. What are your values? Teaching values to our | | | | them how school is going and about their friends. |
| children must start with our selves. This is a very | | | | Discuss your values with them and get their opinions. |
| critical step and only you can determine what your | | | | 5. One value each month. Each month focus on a |
| values are. You naturally want your children to have | | | | single value. It can be anything from character building |
| integrity and a good character. Your values determine | | | | to goal setting. The important thing is that your children |
| what kind of car your drive, how you spend your time | | | | have the opportunity to tell you what they think of it. |
| and how you spend your money. | | | | By doing this your children will feel like they are part of |
| 2. Do you want your children patterning you? Your | | | | the process and will appreciate your willingness to hear |
| children will take on many of your values by watching | | | | different perspectives. |
| you. When you see a value your child is developing | | | | Teaching values to our children starts with our own |
| does it make you feel uncomfortable? Is this a value | | | | values. First we need to understand what our values |
| you have that you do not like? Now is the time to | | | | are. If we lack certain values or are unhappy with a |
| change our values into what we want our children to | | | | current value then now is the time to change. Then set |
| adopt. | | | | some time aside each month where you can meet |
| 3. Ask yourself questions. If you found $1,000 what | | | | with your children and discuss a different value each |
| would you do with it? If you had a day where you | | | | month with them. |