How Do Parents Influence Children’s Basic Values?-7 Tips

The perception of life that children develop depends a lot on parents’ attitude toward life. Parents play a significant role in shaping the basic values of their children. From a very early age, children observe and absorb information from their surroundings, and parents are often the primary influencers in their lives.

Are you preparing your child for life with valuable life lessons or are you instilling negativity in the child, showing the negative and difficult side of everything that happens in life? To mold your child’s personality and help him/her lead a meaningful life, you have the responsibility of teaching and motivating your child as much as you can.

You must practice the values that you want your child to learn. It is easier said than done when it comes to teaching our kids through our way of living. Do we not show our frustration with our intense emotions and irritated mood while we ask them to have patience and calm down? Is it not difficult for us to forgive and appreciate others while we teach our kids to be kind, generous, and humble? More than what you say to your kids, you teach them by the way you live your life. They easily absorb what they see us doing, rather than what we teach them.

Here are seven ways in which parents can influence their children’s basic values

• Parents who exhibit positive values and behaviors are likely to instill similar values in their children.
• Engaging in conversations about moral and ethical principles helps children develop their own understanding of right and wrong.
• Family traditions, customs, and rituals often carry underlying values. These practices can contribute to a sense of identity and reinforce positive values within the family unit.
• Encouraging children to understand and share the feelings of others helps develop a strong moral compass.
• Establishing clear expectations for behavior and values within the family helps guide children in understanding what is important to their parents. Consistency in enforcing expectations reinforces the importance of these values.
• Parents can encourage their children to think critically about different situations, moral dilemmas, and ethical issues. This helps children develop their own values based on thoughtful consideration.
• Emotional support from parents creates a foundation of security and trust. This support helps children develop a positive self-image and fosters values such as resilience, kindness, and perseverance.

When going through different situations and challenges in life, it takes great effort to practice positivity and mindfulness. Having a stressful day makes us easily irritable when we come across anything that could impact our state of mind. Such difficult moments could weaken us and make us vulnerable. Getting extremely emotional and frustrated in life makes situations worse and takes away the peace in our lives and family.

If our kids have seen our intense emotions and quick negative reactions in our daily lives, can we expect them to practice mindfulness and positivity? Will they not question our way of handling circumstances when we correct them? Family is a great blessing and being a role model to our children is essential to help our kids live with grit and embrace life with confidence and hope.

As children grow, they may develop their own perspectives and values based on a combination of these influences. Parental guidance, however, remains a crucial factor in shaping the early foundation of a child’s values. By displaying moral and ethical behavior, parents can also impart values which can counter the negative influences children may receive from their peers or media. 

How do you think the life of parents can teach resilience and optimism to children? Do share your opinions/experiences in the comments.