Top Ten Ways to Teach Values to Your Kids

In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve of, how can you teach values to your kids? Here are ten ideas to help you:

1. Tell them your life stories and teach through your stories

Kids love to hear stories about your childhood. Weave in some moral dilemmas, and you've got great opportunities to teach them values. It's especially effective at bedtime, when there are fewer distractions. They'll fall asleep with the story swirling around inside them.

2. Live your own life according to your values-walk the talk.

Kids learn by imitating, especially at a young age. They're very adept at seeing the match between what you say and what you do. Don't give them confusing signals; follow your own values every moment.

3. Expose them to your religion, faith, or spirituality

It seems especially important to let your kids know they're not alone. Guiding your kids towards your faith or spiritual beliefs will strengthen their values, and provide parents with a framework for their life.

4. Pay attention to who else might be teaching values to your kids

Get to know your child's teachers, coaches, friends, etc. Anyone who spends time with your children may be influencing them. Know their values and beliefs as well.

5. Ask your kids questions that will stimulate dialogue about values

Telling your kids what values they should have won't be very effective, especially when your kids get older. Asking them "curious" questions will allow discussions that will eventually lead to values. "What did you think about that fight?" will be more effective than, "He shouldn't have started that fight!"

6. Talk to them about values in a relaxed and easy way

Nothing will turn your kids off more than preaching values to them after they've screwed up! Talk to them when everyone's relaxed, and do it in a light, conversational manner. Be aware of using the "parental tone," which has your kids wanting to run for the door.

7. Limit their exposure to TV and video games

One of the ways to teach values to your kids is by showing them what you avoid. Advertisers in the US will be spending over 3 billion dollars to try and convince your kids that they'll feel better if they have the right clothes, etc. If you really want to show them there are more valuable ways to spend your time, limit your own TV watching as well.

8. Involve your kids in helping others

Kids learn values when they experience them. Allow them to experience helping others by donating a portion of their money to the needy, or by getting involved in charity work. When your kids can see first-hand the results of their efforts, an important value will be established for a lifetime.

9. Have frequent conversations about values in your household

Don't make the mistake of only talking about values when something goes wrong. Your kids need to hear your values reflected often in conversations. It's another way for them to know that it's important.

10. Have high expectations for your kids' value systems

Your kids will tend to rise to the level of your expectations. Their value system will often reflect yours, as long as you expect them to make it an important part of their life. When your kids are making a decision, ask them to consider how their decision fits into their own value system.

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life and improve their family relationships. For a FREE twenty minute sample session by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FREE newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com or email him at mark@markbrandenburg.com.

---

A Dialogue with an ADHD Non-Believer

Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More

Games Of The Past Meet The Present

Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More

Growing Good People

At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More

How Children Learn

Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More

6 Ways to Communicate Clearly with Your Teen

How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More

Top Seven Tips for Back-to-School Success

Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More

Detox To Help Conception

Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More

Bedtime and Sleep Habits

Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More

Now, Theyre Bullying My Daughter In Our Home: Welcome To Cyber-Bullying

Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More

The Metamorphosis of The Brain: Raising Your child to be a Brainiac

The human brain never actually stops developing. Beginning formation in... Read More

Child Separation Anxiety: Does Your Child Have It?

If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More

The Hardest Job I Ever Had

I used to have a really challenging job. It was... Read More

Communication Mistakes Parents Often Make - And Easy Ways To Correct Them

As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: How to Respond to Manipulation

Q. My daughter has gotten very good at manipulating us,... Read More

Avoid Weight Problems In Children

Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More

Cooking With Your Kids Helps Develop Motor Skills for Preschoolers

Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More

How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child

Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More

Develop Your Childs Genius: One Step Farther

When is a person brilliant? When does a person show... Read More

Reincarnation: Sacred Children Series - 1 of 3

Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More

Twelve Tips To Connect With Teachers At Conference Time

It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More

Bring On The Music To Help Your Child Learn Faster And More Effectively

Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More

Spelling Games

The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More

If at First They Dont Succeed - What a Great Opportunity!

When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More

Mommy, I Can?t Sleep! Sleep Disturbance in Children

"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More

Some Good News About Blended Families

They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More

Teach Your Kids to Cook Well, Eliminating Excessive Health Care Needs in the Future

We are all aware of the child obesity epidemic that... Read More

School Holiday Survival Guide

The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More

Power Foods for a Powerful School Lunch

There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: What to Do When Your Teen Feels Left Out

On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More

Dads, Handle your Kids Mistakes

One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More

Invented Spelling --- Another Alice-in-Wonderland Public-School Theory

As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More

Are Public Schools A Menace To Your Kids? -- 11 Danger Signals

Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More

Building Your Childs Self-Esteem

According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More