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Teaching your children values will help them make good choices in their lives. Today’s world is ever changing and very fast paced. In years past children grew up in a small community or with just their families and their challenges were much different.

1. What are your values? Teaching values to our children must start with our selves. This is a very critical step and only you can determine what your values are. You naturally want your children to have integrity and a good character. Your values determine what kind of car your drive, how you spend your time and how you spend your money.

2. Do you want your children patterning you? Your children will take on many of your values by watching you. When you see a value your child is developing does it make you feel uncomfortable? Is this a value you have that you do not like? Now is the time to change our values into what we want our children to adopt.

3. Ask yourself questions. If you found $1,000 what would you do with it? If you had a day where you could do anything you felt like what would it be? If you could choose to spend your weekend shopping or donating your time to a hotline what would you choose? The way you answer these question reveals some of your values. Are you happy with your answers?

4. Monthly family meeting. This can be over dinner, at a park or in your home. Focus on your children. Ask them how school is going and about their friends. Discuss your values with them and get their opinions

Make sure to read:  When Is The Right Time To Introduce Technology To Your Kids?

5. One value each month. Each month focus on a single value. It can be anything from character building to goal setting. The important thing is that your children have the opportunity to tell you what they think of it. By doing this your children will feel like they are part of the process and will appreciate your willingness to hear different perspectives.

6. React when a value is crossed. If you do not address  the infraction right then and there, children will keep going.  They must understand that you have expectations of behavior.

7. Keep a like minded community. You cannot expect a child to behave in a certain way if you do not keep them with like company. It is surrounding them with a constant supportive community that empowers them.

8. Remember that no one is perfect. Values should be taught with love and kindness. If they fall short of them, forgive them, support them and love on. A child will do what is given lovingly.

Keep in mind that what you learned from your  parents is key. Read: 8 Things Mom Told You That Were Right

As a parent your influence over your children has been diminished and so you need to try extra hard to instill good values in them.