Children, even teenagers, need nurturing. Unfortunately, some don’t have the right values instilled and are more susceptible to peer pressure. You haven’t failed as a parent because the child hasn’t grasped certain values. They could be late bloomers, and there is still time to teach and make them a better person. So, what values should you teach your children before they go off to college?

Respect

Children who do not respect the opinion, views, or possessions of another aren’t well-liked. They are not respected because they don’t show respect. Teaching respect to a child is easier than you think. Use, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and you will see your influence rubbing off on the child. It will help them be respectful of others and respected back. 

Honesty

It’s important to teach your children about honesty because it’s easy to lie. Sometimes, the child just doesn’t want to get into trouble; however, they can’t go through life like that. Being honest might sting at times but makes the child a better person. You should stress how important it is to be honest. 

It’s one of the most important values a child can learn. 

Try their Best

Children are not perfect. It’s easy to get distracted, lose interest, and struggle to understand what is being asked of them. You can’t, however, tell your child it’s okay to give up. If you don’t encourage a child to do their best, they will never succeed. The child doesn’t have the confidence and backs away from every situation that frightens them. That’s the wrong value to teach; instead, encourage them to do their best. 

Justice and the Consequences of their Actions

You can’t sit back and let your child physically or emotionally hurt someone, even when you think it isn’t a big deal. What isn’t a big deal in your eyes is for the other person. Sometimes, it isn’t the fact they were hurt, it’s the principle of not having an apology. 

Children, even teenagers, should learn about the consequences of their actions. If someone has been hurt, ensure your child apologizes and is truly sorry. 

Never Quit, Stay Focused and Determined

Children will always face difficult situations in their life, even when they’re in their 30s. If you teach them well, they can overcome any obstacle in their way. Determination is a value that can be taught, and you shouldn’t be afraid to teach it to your child. 

Being Able to Forgive

Forgiveness is about being able to move on after being emotionally or physically hurt. You can forever hold a grudge against the person who wronged you, but that only hurts you. Children must learn to forgive so that if someone hurts them, they can find a way to move forward in their lives. 

Thankfulness 

Gratitude is not something everyone is taught and that is unfortunate because some people develop a sense of entitlement. It isn’t a nice value to have, and you don’t want your child to develop this trait. A heartful, meaningful gesture should be appreciated, not laughed at; teach your child to show kindness and be appreciative of others. 

Show Generosity to Others

There are many ways to be generous without showing off. For instance, you could donate food to a shelter or give money to charitable organizations. Volunteer if you have the time. These minor actions will show your children the importance of generosity. 

It’s the kindness behind the gesture that matters, not how much you give in monetary value.

Loving Others

You don’t have to like someone to love them. Children need to understand that families have unconditional love for one another, even through the rocky patches. The child sees this and demonstrates love and affection for others. 

Compassion and Consideration

A child must understand what effects their actions have on their families. You can explain and even demonstrate things to help them understand how their behavior or actions impact others. It’s a great way to teach the child compassion and consideration. 

Don’t be Afraid to Educate your Child

Values aren’t always taught in the classroom and aren’t learned overnight. Sometimes, it comes down to you and how you respond to different situations. If a child sees your calm response to an emotional situation, they learn from it and even repeat it. Fortunately, there are many moments in life that you can use to teach your children values. Grab these opportunities by the hand and it’ll help make your child a better person.