Taking an active hand in instilling good morals into your children’s lives is a lofty, but sometimes intimidating, goal. Fortunately, there are some key strategies you can employ to bring out the best in your little one. Try these techniques to build strong character with a gentle hand.
Like Minded Peers
One key strategy is making sure your child is surrounded by peers that possess the same morals you are trying to instill. One good way to do this is to get to know the parents of the classmates your child spends time with. Also, encourage play dates and sleep overs at homes where you know the parents share your same values.
Supervision
Likewise, when your children are playing at home, you need to be on top of their activities. This can apply to a number of things, like internet, movies and phone time. What are your kids listening to on the radio, who they are texting, and what sites they are visiting are all things you should know. Use password protections and parental control software to stay on top of this.
Mentoring
But staying on top of your kids’ activities isn’t enough, you also need to provide them with role models they can look to and try to emulate. Enroll your children in a mentoring program so they have some responsible teens and young adults to spend time with. Or choose a like minded babysitter that can present morals you want your kids to be exposed to.
Clubs and Groups
When signing your children up for various clubs, purposefully seek out activities that promote good morals. Church groups are a good place to start, but there are a broad amount of opportunities. Look into groups organized through your child’s school, local library or sports venues to find activities that are fun but also faith affirming.
Television
Finally, don’t count out television as a go to source for moral building activities. It may not seem obvious, but there are a number of ways to use the TV, which your child likely already enjoys, to instill good morals. There are plenty of faith building programs your kids can watch, with good ethics lessons. And resources like ChurchStreaming.tv and online television watching are an interactive way to bring fun together with morals.
Instilling morals is ambitious, but possible. With these techniques you can help your child grow into the best version of themself, and set them on the right path for the future.
Earnest Parenting: help for parents who want to teach morals to their children.