There you have it. If some people seem to have more than their share of admirers, even if they don't have the money or the looks or the fame others have, it might be because their families or someone instilled in them the importance of good character.
The idea of "Character Education" comes in and out of style in school curricula. We should be able to expect organized religions will teach their young members something about how to be decent and righteous people. Although we would hope that teachers do something to encourage it, the primary responsibility to raise children to be creditable human beings still rests squarely on the shoulders of us parents. Whatever virtues one values, I think it's necessary to communicate to one's children, clearly and consistently, that those are the character traits we want them to develop. They should be virtues that not only make our children easier for us to live with, but virtues that will earn the admiration of their peers and those who follow them long after we're gone.
The idea of "Character Education" comes in and out of style in school curricula. We should be able to expect organized religions will teach their young members something about how to be decent and righteous people. Although we would hope that teachers do something to encourage it, the primary responsibility to raise children to be creditable human beings still rests squarely on the shoulders of us parents. Whatever virtues one values, I think it's necessary to communicate to one's children, clearly and consistently, that those are the character traits we want them to develop. They should be virtues that not only make our children easier for us to live with, but virtues that will earn the admiration of their peers and those who follow them long after we're gone.
Of course, the most powerful instruction we as parents can give our children is through our actions. Children have a strong sense of justice and honesty. If we tell them to behave a certain way but fail to follow our own advice and behave the opposite way ourselves, we will forfeit their respect. The "Do as I Say, Don't Do as I Do" kind of parenting will backfire. We want to base our authority on noble respect, not on primitive fear. If we sometimes stumble in our own pursuit of perfection, we should be honest and gracious about it and keep trying.
I have provided one list of suggestions. See more here. There are others. I notice that courtesy or manners is missing from the list, but perhaps that is included under gentleness or respect or cleanliness or peace of mind.
Whatever you decide to articulate as your own family's character education goals, don't keep them a secret from your children. Stick them up on the refrigerator, or stitch little samplers to frame and hang up around the living room. The best disciplined children I know have parents who can keep them in line by saying "In this family, we don't [fill in the blank]" and be assured that the children know what they mean.
Whatever you decide to articulate as your own family's character education goals, don't keep them a secret from your children. Stick them up on the refrigerator, or stitch little samplers to frame and hang up around the living room. The best disciplined children I know have parents who can keep them in line by saying "In this family, we don't [fill in the blank]" and be assured that the children know what they mean.
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