Instilling Values

What Are Your Core Values?

Once we become parents, it’s essential to reflect on our core value system. Here are some questions to consider:

What motivates our actions?

How do our behaviors reflect who we are?

What kind of person do we aspire to be?

What kind of person do we want our children to become by age 18?

We can’t simply tell our children to be “kind and polite.” We must model these values and instill them deeply in our children from a young age. Here are some strategies to help you do this effectively:

Instilling Values Early

Healthy Habits: Introduce the importance of nutrition and exercise early on.

Say things like, “Eating healthy is very important” or “Exercise helps keep our bodies strong.”

Use visuals to reinforce these lessons—show your kids images of healthy versus unhealthy lungs.

Take them to the supermarket and let them choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.

*Studies show that when kids are involved in decision-making, they are more likely to stick with those choices.

Some Tips

• Model Behavior: Demonstrate the values you want to instil. Children learn by observing their parents.

• Open Communication: Encourage discussions about values. Ask questions and share your thoughts to foster understanding.
• Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate the values that are important to your family, such as honesty, respect, and kindness.
• Use Teachable Moments: Leverage everyday situations to reinforce values, such as helping others or making ethical decisions.
• Encourage Empathy: Teach kids to consider others’ feelings and perspectives. Discuss scenarios that promote compassion.
• Involve Them in Community Service: Engage in volunteer activities together to highlight the importance of giving back.
• Read Books with Moral Lessons: Choose stories that illustrate values and discuss the lessons learned from them.
• Create Family Traditions: Establish rituals that reflect your values, such as family meetings or gratitude practices.
• Praise Positive Behavior: Acknowledge and reward actions that align with the values you wish to promote.
• Be Consistent: Reinforce values consistently through your actions, words, and family rules.

Take Action

Don’t let precious time slip by without actively instilling your family values. Your children may choose to accept, adapt, or even challenge these values as they grow, and that’s perfectly okay. What’s crucial is that they understand your values and the reasoning behind them. This foundation is invaluable.

A Matter for Reflection

Reflect on Your Values

What are your core values?

Which values from your parents have you chosen to modify or adapt?

These reflections will not only strengthen your family bond but also guide your children in developing their value systems. Food for thought: How can you actively demonstrate and discuss these values in your daily life?