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Raising Kids with Character

by FamilyEducation Staff

dinner rapTalking with Kids About Character

Have you checked in on your kids' character lately? Are they honest, accepting, thoughtful, and kind? Well, no child can be all of those things all of the time. But you can point them in the right direction. To help you, we've pulled together expert answers to your most pressing character concerns.

Honesty

We demand honesty from our children. We can't stand it if they lie to us. We take it personally. To be honest, kids must possess the courage to confront what they fear — rejection, disapproval, failure, and humiliation. Our kids need our help to develop that courage. See what our expert has to say about the following honesty-testing situations:

  • My third-grader told me that he cheats in school. I'm very worried. What would cause a nine-year-old to do this? How can I be sure that it doesn't happen again?

  • When my son confesses to a wrongdoing, I sometimes get mad or upset. How should I react when he tells me about the things he's done wrong?

    Optimism

    Growing up can be tough. It's important to ground your kids in optimism as they grow and face new challenges and disappointments. Here's some advice on how to build optimism in your kids:

  • How can I boost my child's confidence?

    Social Skills

    It may seem like it should be easy, but for some kids, developing social skills is torture. Kids feel terrible when they don't fit in, and this can be very damaging to their self-esteem. See what experts have to say about building your child's social skills:

  • My son is very shy and lonely at school, but he wants to be more social. How can I help him "come out of his shell"?

  • My daughter is being excluded from cliques on the playground. She just can't seem to make any loyal friends. She's very lonely and miserable. Do you have any suggestions?

    Acceptance/Tolerance

    Teaching your kids to respect others with regard to issues of bias and discrimination can be challenging. Here are some helpful tips on teaching your kids to be tolerant:

  • I have a son in preschool and I am concerned about the intolerance of his classmates. The children tend to tease a lot and hurt each other emotionally. What can I do to stop this behavior?

  • How can I help my preteen learn to respect differences in others?

    Empathy

    It's not easy to talk with kids about their hurtful behavior. Some kids may be ashamed, others oblivious. And you may be embarrassed by their insensitivity. Here's how to overcome those feelings and talk with your kids about empathy.

  • My 9-year-old daughter is always teasing others. What should I say to her?

  • My 7-year-old son is so competitive! How do I teach him sensitivity, when all he wants to do is win?

  • What should I do when my child teases other kids?

    More on: Instilling Values

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