The top 5 most important thing to teach children at a young age.

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   chuckandus6posted 9 years ago

   I think it is important to build character and kindness in children as soon as you can communicate with them and they understand.
   To me the top 5 things I have taught my children are..
   Manners-
   Kindness-
   Honesty
   Forgiveness
   Appreciation
   What are some ways that you taught your children these important character building traits?
   
   

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   Some of these traits need to be preserved rather than taught. I have found that children are naturally kind, respectful, sensitive, compassionate and have a lot of empathy and love in their hearts. 
   
   Now, appreciation, forgiveness, honesty and manners… different story.
   I believe these traits do need to be instilled by good example and by setting appropriate boundaries.
   As a very young child, I remember lying to get what I wanted, hating my brother for some injustice he committed against me, having to be told to keep my elbows off the table and reminded (often) to say thank you.
   I think you are right on.
   Furthermore, If you, the parent, do not do it…
   who will?

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   chuckandus6posted 9 years ago

   Thank you Kathryn I do believe that, its a great responsibility but a great job to be a parent. Especially when you see what strong character Skills your kids Have.

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. They absorb what you teach. They do so in their own way, and how it emerges later is truly amazing to observe.
      If you give up when they are teens, it all can go out the window.
      We can't let up, but our influence does change past fifteen. The science of rising kids is also an art.

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         chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I will not give up,teens need a lot of guidance too,unfortunate that some parents dont see that.

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            Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I think there is a problem when both parents have to work full time. Crowds of young teens in my neighborhood hang out after Jr. High at a local shopping center with no supervision...  poor Rite Aide!
            I was lucky as I could be home from work when my kids got off school.

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               chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Yes I am a stay at home mom and I hope that I can continue t be so as they grow

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                  Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  you are fortunate… and your kids don't know how fortunate they are! 
                  It is not easy to be a stay-at-home mom.
                  It is not easy to be a working mom.
                  it is not easy being a mom.
                  But, when you see their happy faces, their enthusiasm, their love of learning, their innate interests and their joy of life… well, it is catching.

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                     chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     Yes, they are great and I am thankful ever day,thank u for your compliment and being a mom is a tough job,with huge benefit package

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   I believe setting boundaries is a full time endeavor. Boundaries are for the sake of cultivating your little roses and preventing them from being over taken by weeds. Boundaries must be set with love and understanding; it 's not a matter of saying it once and expecting them to remember!
   
   I also believe corrections, (which can become criticisms,) should not be made at times when mistakes are made. The parent can observe and then correct at another time to inform/explain the proper behavior.
   Unless the situation is urgent, of course.
   
   Boundaries also give freedom. The two go hand in hand.
   I believe kids learn best in liberty. We need to create a stimulating environment for them to experience/explore on their own terms. This is the fun part for mom's.

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      chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I agree I want my kids to feel comfortable coming to me and telling me what they did wrong, and not hiding or lying.I know they are going to make mistakes and learn from them,I want to teach them not to rep at them but not make them feel that I love them any less.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, constant reprimanding becomes a bad habit for some.
         ...and destroys joy of life for both mom and kids.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   It really comes down to protecting and preserving the joy of life which the child posseses within him from birth on...
   and the happiness of life which the adult is entitled to!

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      janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      No one is "entitled" to happiness. That doesn't even make sense.

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         chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         No single person is entitled to happiness,everyone is entitled to happiness,I think that makes sense.

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            janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Are arsonists entiltled to the happiness that burning down buildings brings? Think about it for a minute and a half.

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               chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               That is an abstract thought.that type of happiness is not true happiness that is a sickness in their mind same with murderers.but still holds true in raising children they deserve to be a happy adult,and you do your best to help them.a lot of mentally disturbed people you can link back to their childhood and how they were raised,treated,respected. It makes a big difference in who they are as adults.

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                  janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  People are entitled to basic human rights. Happiness is too subjective,and too vague to be considered an entitlement.

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                     chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     I Guesse it depends on point of view. What would you consider basic human rights? Would you agree that parents have a big part in building characteristics that make up someone who strives for happiness As an adult?

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                        janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        Nutritious food, shelter, freedom of religion and speech, freedom from harm.

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                           chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           I would agree people deserve all those basics but, also in my opinion ,people deserve more.That all the basics are important but not enough by themselves. A parent can provide all of these things, food shelter...but not be a good parent? How?because is the extra things like praise and caring  that are going to stick with them, and when they lose their job and are without shelter,they have strength of character to strive for happiness, whether in getting a job, or whatever the case is.

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                              janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              Of course. I'm just saying, happiness can't be an entitlement, because you can't even pin down what that is. It's an abstract idea. It's subjective.
                              
                              The other things I said AREN"T abstract ideas.

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                                 chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 I understand what you mean, very insightful Thoughts thanks for sharing your knowledge and point of view here.

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "entitled to pursue"… is that better, JS?

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         janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I am commenting on the vagueness of your statement.

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            Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            You are getting to the bottom of my statement. It is pretty "self evident." Doesn't take that much digging. You got something against happiness?

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               janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Of course not. I just think the terminology is vague and doesn't mean much of anything.

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               janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Happiness to me is a nice hot cup of coffee, a cigarette,and a good internet connection. Is this happiness to you? I doubt it.

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                  Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  ...we are talking about the pursuit of happiness.  sheesh.
                  Adults have the right to be happy while raising their kids. Yelling at them and criticizing them does not make for a happy kid or a happy parent.
                  - thats all I was saying.
                  You are just grumpy today.

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                     janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     I'm not grumpy at all. I have my smokes and my coffee. I'm perfectly content. The forums are a bit of a bore today though, and I can't seem to find another fun one like Hubpages to keep me occupied when it's slow. Any ideas?

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                        Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        No. As I have said, I don't like surfing the net or spending too much time on the computer. It really bugs my eyes. I got hooked here by accident. I like the writing format.
                        PS  You could write a hub.

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                           janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           Oh, I didn't realize that. I thought you were an internet junkie like the rest of us regulars here:)
                           
                           Sorry it bugs your eyes. It bothers my boyfriend's eyes too. Gives him headaches.

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                        chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        Js you should start a forum topic,I would love to join in on discussion

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   We all learn from mistakes. You are a wise mother.

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      chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Kathryn but I think I understand what she means it is not something that we have complete control over like shelter,more of guidance
      Thank you sharing.in my forum.topic and Your great point of view.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   I was thinking of the right to pursue Happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence:
   "We hold these rights to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights government are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
   
   Keep up the really great work, chuckandus6! We need as many great citizens as we can get for the sake of future of this country.

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      janesixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      And how would you go about enforcing that "right'? How would you even know if it was being violated?

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   I think kids should stay off technology screens until they are about fifteen. They will learn it quickly enough anyway. Kids should be learning concrete skills and pursuing the natural real world. 
   Adults too, actually.
   Humans get addicted to things way too easily.

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