Teaching Children to Tell the Truth and Other Insane Ideas of Responsible Parents

In this crazy world we live in, sometimes it seems as though common sense ideas have gone out the window. If that observation frustrates you, as it does me, you may wonder what one person can do about our modern life. In fact, you may wonder if there's anything one person can do to add to societal order and lessen the chaos. To stand for decency and not add to the overflow of moral garbage.

If you are a parent, the answer is a resounding yes.

As a parent, you have amazing influence over the next generation that is right now growing in your home. In fact, you have more power than all the politicians, world leaders, and movers and shakers combined.

All you have to do is believe that teaching children to tell the truth, to be respectful, to learn self-discipline and exercise self-control are good things. Even vital things.

It's called character development and with it, we can rock our world.

Admittedly, these are not new ideas. History is replete with a cast of players that both cherished and rejected character development. But one thing we've forgotten today is that the family is still the place where those values are either taught...or lost.

The family is where people learn to think of others...or only of themselves.

The family is where the future is shaped.

Now, lest you think this part of parenting is optional, I'd like to point out something that we all know, but often don't think about.

Whether we focus on character development in our family, or completely ignore it, the training happens anyway.

Don't believe me? Just think back to your own childhood. It doesn't matter whether you consider your upbringing stellar or horrific, has it affected you as an adult? Have you spent time trying to get over certain aspects of your upbringing? Are there parts of your childhood training that have absolutely got you to where you are today?

We can't escape our childhood training. Good or bad. Happy or sad. We are destined to spend the rest of our lives living out those years or working to overcome them.

Now, zoom back to the present. If you are a parent and you can see that quality behavior flows from quality humans, then you have a responsibility to do your best to introduce quality character development to your children.

This has nothing to do with money or how far you got in school. Those things are nice and sometimes can help, but they are never the determining factor. As the leader in your family, modeling how to embrace a strong work ethic, insisting on a culture of personal responsibility in your home and teaching children to tell the truth are far, far more important parenting jobs than providing everyone with a separate bedroom or the latest electronic equipment.

More than the best schools, character development will help your children make it to the top.

More than being involved in a dizzying array of after-school activities, character development will provide your children with the tools they need to make it in this crazy world.

And, interestingly enough, a home centered on character development will often produce more a more satisfying and rewarding parenting experience, too.

Want to win the parenting game? Make patient, loving character training the centerpiece of your home for both yourself and your children.