The family unit is the very fiber of our development and stability in life. I know we all have heard of family values over the years and their importance in our lives.
Politicians have even grasped their importance. Regardless of how structured our government is or how good the people are running it, the family and its values are what separates a moral, God-loving, law-abiding country from another. We can build more jails, have stiffer laws and penalties for criminals, but without proper family teachings from childhood on up, the chances are slim for an individual to be a God fearing, law abiding, productive citizen.
So exactly what are these family values we hear so much about? They may be having parents that love God, one another, and their children, laying down all else for their safety. According to Webster’s Dictionary (21st Century Edition), a value is defined as a relative worth or a basic principle. I think of it as learning right from wrong.
A family, whether it be a single parent, one child or many children is the most beautiful gift God has ever given us the privilege of having. It is up to us to teach the younger generation the values that we have had instilled in us from childhood.
Some call me old fashioned in the things I am about to tell you. If they make me old fashioned, then I can’t think of any other way I would rather be. The following are my personal beliefs on how children should be taught and reared in the home. You may not agree with all of them, but please understand this is how I was reared, it’s how my parents were reared and it’s how I am rearing my children. I hope they assist you with your family.
- I BELIEVE IN CHILDREN BEING TAUGHT TO RESPECT THEIR ELDERS AND ALWAYS ANSWERING WITH YES MA’AM, NO MA’AM, YES SIR OR NO SIR.
- I BELIEVE IN DISCIPLINE, NOT PUNISHMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD TEACH OUR CHILDREN THAT IF THEY DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS, THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES.
Many children are told not to do something and when continuing to do it, no discipline is administered. I never believed the saying, “this is going to hurt you a lot more than it is me” until I had children of my own. I further believe that after disciplining our children we should love them and even hold them until all is okay. This way they realize your love for them and the fact that you are not disciplining them because you are angry.
- I BELIEVE IN SAYING I LOVE YOU TO YOUR CHILDREN AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
- I BELIEVE IN HUGGING YOUR CHILDREN AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
- I BELIEVE IN HAVING AT LEAST ONE SIT DOWN MEAL TOGETHER EACH WEEK TO DEVELOP THE BONDING THAT IS LOST BECAUSE OF THIS FAST PACED SOCIETY.
- I BELIEVE IN COMING HOME EVERY NIGHT, UNLESS CIRCUMSTANCES ABSOLUTELY PROHIBIT IT. THERE ARE LEGITIMATE JOBS THAT DO NO ALLOW THIS, BUT IN MANY CASES IT’S BECAUSE THE FATHER OR MOTHER FOR THAT MATTER DO NOT PLACE COMING HOME AS A PRIORITY.
My children know that if at all possible their dad is walking through the door in the evening to see them. Countless times I have been asked to dinner for business
when I refused. There were times when I needed to be somewhere early the next day and although it would be more convenient to spend the night, I chose to stay home. This develops a stability that can’t be undervalued.
- I BELIEVE IN BEING A BEST FRIEND TO YOUR CHILDREN, BUT REMAINING THEIR PARENT. DAD IS DAD AND MOM IS MOM. THEY DO NOT CALL US BY OUR FIRST NAME.
- I BELIEVE IN HAVING SOMEONE HOME FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL. I KNOW THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE IN ALL CASES BECAUSE OF WORK, ETC., BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.
- I BELIEVE IN OPENLY DISCUSSING ISSUES SUCH AS SEX WITH YOUR CHILDREN. THIS IS WHERE I MAY DIFFER FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT REMEMBER IF YOU DON’T TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT, SOMEONE ELSE WILL. IT’S YOUR CHOICE.
- I BELIEVE IN PRAYING TOGETHER. I’LL MAKE THIS BRIEF. A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.
These are ten personal beliefs I believe to be basic values a family needs to develop into all it can be and stay close throughout life. If you don’t agree with all of them, that’s okay. A few of them would go along way toward helping this world’s families today.
If you are single and do not have a family, perhaps you have friends that you can develop close relationships with. Regardless of whom, you can have all the money in the world, but loneliness knows no barriers.
