Perhaps one of the most important things to teach our children is how to make good choices.
How can we model, inspire, encourage our children to look ahead, recognise the value and importance of good choices, and help them to make them?
Making Choices
What are the things we want our children to prioritise? Is it their social choices? Academic education? Putting family first?
What qualities do we hope to build in our children? Is compassion important? Kindness? Athleticism? Achievement of one kind or another?
And in each of these areas, what are some of the temptations and stumbling blocks our children will face and have the opportunity to overcome, in order to become capable and honourable adults?
Modelling
What are our own principles and priorities?
Children watch us and follow us. When we are consistent, ensuring our actions match our words, and when we stick to our priorities and our principles, it will be much easier for our children to face and work through their own challenges.
Building Character
Sticking to principles builds strength of character; a person of strong character learns to move through challenge, coming through to the other side with greater wisdom, strength, reliability and respectability. There is no substitute for self respect and strong character.
When we help our children to develop character, we help them to live happier, more productive and more fulfilled lives.