Raising a virtuous kid is a part of good parenting. Here are some basic virtues your kid must learn.Good parenting involves teaching your kids the virtues of life. Inculcating the 10 commandments quoted in every scripture in your children is not a very difficult task. Few of the virtues are self-disciplinary qualities that the children develop in themselves when they eventually grow; rest you should teach them. Here are the 10 virtues your kids must learn.
1. Non-Violence
You should teach your children non-violence in speech, thoughts, and actions. They should learn that every spoken word or thought or action leads to a similar reaction. This will
teach them love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.
2. Honesty
Kids must know that lie no matter how big or small is still a lie. You should always encourage your kids when they confess their mistakes rather than
punishing them to lie in future by yelling at their mistakes which they are confessing by themselves. This will motivate them in not telling lies.
3. Non-Stealing
Stealing can lead to a serious
bad habit in future. Children should learn contentment with what they have – toys, gadgets, clothes, etc. Contentment leads to happiness, but that wanting more does not lead to happiness. Feeling content will prevent your kids from stealing or coveting what they do not have.
4. Consciousness
You must teach your kids that there is a higher power that governs everything around everyone. Teach them life has a purpose and they must try and express their divine qualities and protect them. Being conscious and able to
control anger, envy, jealousy, etc. is an important practice.
5. Non-Possessiveness
Teach your kids the joy of giving without any expectation of getting something in return. They should not possess more than what they minimally need. They should give the best what they have; they should not give what they do not desire. Teach some charity – do not give importance to money but the willingness to serve.
6. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is next to godliness – every kid should learn this. Teach them how properly they can concentrate when they are neat and tidy. Being unhygienic, untidy, or messy make them disorganized. Teach them basic chores like cleaning up room, study area, etc.
7. Satisfaction
Satisfaction is being content with what you are, what your action is, and what you have – this virtue holds importance in today’s materialistic society. Kids should learn that a beggar is a king if he is contented with what he has, and a king is like a beggar if he still wishes to have more treasure.
8. Austerity
You should teach three types of austerities to your kids. Austerity of physical body in the form of asanas or any sport strengthens the body and teaches endurance,
obedience, and discipline. Austerity of speech and communication teaches how to choose words wisely and effectively. Austerity of mind frees your kid’s mind of negativity.
9. Self-Analysis
Teach your children how to learn their own thoughts, action, and speech. Self-analysis will help them to improve themselves and they will guide themselves on the right path by their own.
10. Self-Surrender
Teaching kids about self-surrender is difficult if it does wonder if you can actually teach them at an early age. Complete surrender to God or a power that controls the universe will lead to faith and sincerity in their duties.
Bringing up children with all these virtues is an important task. Teaching these 10 virtues to kids can be easier if you try to explain these concepts to them through simple stories from the Panchatantra, Aesop’s Fables, Prophets, and stories from Buddha’s life. You can narrate the tales which prevail in every culture and are passed down from one generation to another.
Which important virtues should be instilled in kids? How can parents instill virtues in their kids? How to get rid of bad habits in children? Discuss here.