Values form the foundation of who your children will be, growing up and beyond. Make the world a better place and empower your child to excel in life by teaching them about values.

As a parent, your child constantly observes what you do. The parent/child bond instills a sense of trust and authority. You are a part of how your child develops their view of not just the world, but also themselves.

Consider teaching your children these values:

1. Respect. Respect looks like paying attention when being spoken to or using a respectful tone of voice. It can also mean treating others with courtesy as opposed to acting with entitlement.
   
   Treat your child and those you interact with respectfully.
   
   
   
2. Honesty. If your child goes through a phase of lying, remember that it’s a normal part of their development. 
   
   To teach your child honesty, thank them for being honest and avoid scolding them when they make a mistake.
   
   
   
3. Kindness. Teaching your children kindness is teaching them to be considerate of others. Kindness leads to compassion. Your child will see the humanity in others.
   
   Encourage your children to thank others who perform a service, such as a waiter/waitress or a delivery person.
   
   
   
4. Gratitude. Studies have shown that gratitude has a positive impact on a person’s well-being. Teaching your children gratitude can increase their happiness and well-being in life. Someone who learns gratitude at a young age grows up complaining less in life.
   
   To teach your children gratitude, ask them what they are grateful for daily.
   
   
   
5. Sharing and taking turns. We’ve all seen it (and probably taken part in it): young children tend to start by seeing everything as theirs. Patiently teaching children to share or take turns is an essential value that will help them develop better relationships with others.
   
   
   
6. Humility. Humility empowers your children to sit back and listen to others who may be more knowledgeable.
   
   Be an example by admitting when you don’t know something.
   
   
   
7. Learning to forgive. Forgiveness can be one of the most powerful values to learn. Carrying a grudge controls us and weighs us down. Teaching your child forgiveness can help them live a less stressful life overall.
   
   
   
8. Perseverance. One of the most empowering values we can teach them is perseverance. Empower your child to continue to move forward, even when things get difficult.
   
   Create a safe environment for them to make mistakes, feel sad or angry, and persevere.
   
   
   
9. Love. Love is a value that can only be taught by leading by example. Your children need to be shown that the love you have for them is unconditional.
   
   When you notice your child is sad for making a mistake, reassure them that you still love them.
   
   When your child admits to a lie, thank them for sharing with you and tell them you love them.
   
   
   
10. Open communication. Give your children a space to speak honestly about their ideas and feelings without a fear of being rejected or punished.
    
    By creating a space for your child to openly communicate, you make your child feel safe to share when they make a mistake instead of lying or diverting the subject.

Your children are the next generation! They have so much potential to do incredible things.

Sometimes, as a parent, we might feel we are not doing enough. Remember that you are doing the best you can.

To help your child develop their values further, talk about why different things are important. As you teach them to say “thank you” to others, explain why it’s a positive thing to do.

Most importantly, live your values and your children will learn to do the same!