There have been a few threads on what is wrong with children. I'd like to start one on what is right with them and how to raise children with strong values. My daughter said once that she feels safe. There are a lot of children who don't feel safe and act out in a number of ways because of it. How do we make children feel safe? Not just with their physical body but in their minds and hearts. We can't shelter them from "reality" as far as awareness of abductions etc. but they don't need to live in fear of it. I can't tell her that her heart will never be broken but I can teach her that it will heal.
What other qualities and values do you consider important for the next generation?
values
values
Great thread, Koan.
I think teaching our kids manners and common courtesy is very important. Seems to me that a lot of children nowadays just don't have the basic "please" and "thank you" instilled in them. Respect seems to have fallen by the wayside.
I like what you said about sheltering them from reality. It's a tough line to walk, isn't it? You want them to be aware, but not afraid. Confident, but not aggressive. Question authority, but respect it. From the time I was 15, until now, when my son is 15, there are SO many more issues: Abduction, sexual activity, peer pressure (of a whole different sort than WE had to deal with) and so many more.
I am lucky. My son and I talk a lot. We talk about drugs, sex, people out there that would do some really sick stuff if given the chance, and I tell him about the mistakes I made. I am honest with him. I did a lot of drugs when I was younger. Lots of drinking too. It cost me a lot and landed me in jail. I tell him those stories with no embellishments, and total honesty. He has learned from my mistakes, and knowing that his mother isn't perfect has helped him communicate with me.
I think teaching our kids manners and common courtesy is very important. Seems to me that a lot of children nowadays just don't have the basic "please" and "thank you" instilled in them. Respect seems to have fallen by the wayside.
I like what you said about sheltering them from reality. It's a tough line to walk, isn't it? You want them to be aware, but not afraid. Confident, but not aggressive. Question authority, but respect it. From the time I was 15, until now, when my son is 15, there are SO many more issues: Abduction, sexual activity, peer pressure (of a whole different sort than WE had to deal with) and so many more.
I am lucky. My son and I talk a lot. We talk about drugs, sex, people out there that would do some really sick stuff if given the chance, and I tell him about the mistakes I made. I am honest with him. I did a lot of drugs when I was younger. Lots of drinking too. It cost me a lot and landed me in jail. I tell him those stories with no embellishments, and total honesty. He has learned from my mistakes, and knowing that his mother isn't perfect has helped him communicate with me.
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
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Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
~Darrel Worley~
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Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
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Wild Weasil
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 11:23 am
values
It startles me to think that as I get older I'm starting to sound like my Dad used to.
I think that if you have children, and you raise them as well as you can, try and instill in them the need to treat others as they'd like to be treated, and get them to try and do their best in whatever they attempt, then that is all you can do.
Mind you, I've only got the one (10 years old going on 15!) so perhaps thats easy for me to say.
I think that if you have children, and you raise them as well as you can, try and instill in them the need to treat others as they'd like to be treated, and get them to try and do their best in whatever they attempt, then that is all you can do.
Mind you, I've only got the one (10 years old going on 15!) so perhaps thats easy for me to say.
values
honesty and respect - respect, not only for others but for themselves
Busybee :-6
Busybee :-6
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persephone
- Posts: 664
- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:14 pm
values
I can only think back to my younger years, I think I had the right qualities and values taught to me, yet I rebelled against my parents a lot.
If I was to have children I would want them to be their own person but would hope that they came to me when they needed help and advice, I would also hope not to be a parent that my children did not rebel against, even more so in this age where drugs, crime and low moral standards are so rife.
It's not a difficult question to answer, yet it makes me think and worry about the world we live in today where we see so much evidence that children do not have the qualities and values that their parents grew up learning. Even simple things like manners seem to be a thing of days gone by.
Maybe that's just me getting old, and people used to say the same about my friends and I when I was a child.
If I was to have children I would want them to be their own person but would hope that they came to me when they needed help and advice, I would also hope not to be a parent that my children did not rebel against, even more so in this age where drugs, crime and low moral standards are so rife.
It's not a difficult question to answer, yet it makes me think and worry about the world we live in today where we see so much evidence that children do not have the qualities and values that their parents grew up learning. Even simple things like manners seem to be a thing of days gone by.
Maybe that's just me getting old, and people used to say the same about my friends and I when I was a child.
Bad Girls have very high standards, but they love you even if you sometimes fall short.
values
I'm flooded with stuff to take care of (literally) but stopped hauling soggy boxes for a moment to say: Great responses! keep it up. I'm thinking of what else I have to say on the matter as I blow dry my paintings! Eeeek.
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along-for-the-ride
- Posts: 11732
- Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:28 pm
values
I realize that the times have changed since I was a child.
I believe, however, that our culture needs to go back to alot of those old customs: practicing a faith and saying the pledge of allegience in the schools, doing fun things together as a family--things like that.
I am a parent and my three are grown now. I was never a "perfect" parent, but I love them and always tried to do what I thought was best.
My older son called me yesterday and I enjoyed talking with him. He makes me feel like I did a good job.
I believe, however, that our culture needs to go back to alot of those old customs: practicing a faith and saying the pledge of allegience in the schools, doing fun things together as a family--things like that.
I am a parent and my three are grown now. I was never a "perfect" parent, but I love them and always tried to do what I thought was best.
My older son called me yesterday and I enjoyed talking with him. He makes me feel like I did a good job.
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
values
Times have definately changed and sometimes not for the better. When I think back to my childhood, my parents taught me manners, politeness and common courtesy. When you look at some of the youth today (not painting them all with the same brush) it seems like "please" and "thank you" is too much like hard work, along with respect for their elders. I have even seen kids as young as 11 + 12 yrs be rude and shout and swear at policemen. If I had been stopped by a policeman when I was young, I would never have dreamt of even back chatting and you could guarantee if I did, my mother would have found out before I got home.
We were never bored as kids, we played outside for hours on bikes or making up games. I was out early doors and had to be home before the steet lights came on. I felt loved, safe and happy. My parents made sure of this and for that I'm eternally grateful. Unfortunately, many children don't have that luxury and they can't always be blamed for how they turn out.
We were never bored as kids, we played outside for hours on bikes or making up games. I was out early doors and had to be home before the steet lights came on. I felt loved, safe and happy. My parents made sure of this and for that I'm eternally grateful. Unfortunately, many children don't have that luxury and they can't always be blamed for how they turn out.