What Values Will You Teach Your Children?

[feral]

Presuming that you have children or will someday, what values do you feel are the most important to emphasize and teach to them?

In my view...

Tolerance (yes, I'm a liberal ) - I plan to teach my children to have respect for all people, even when what they say or do is questionable or when they disagree. To this end, I plan to expose my children to a wide variety of people, have them visit different churches/mosques/temples/etc, travel, and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds

Honesty - In my opinion, honesty is vital even when it's difficult or gets you into trouble

Compassion - Having compassion and caring for others is important in my view. I want my children to learn to care for the underdogs, fight for the rights of others and to refuse to tolerate non-compassionate actions.

How about you?

 

[Routerider]

I plan to teach my children that you can't go wrong with love. I want to teach my children to befriend the lonely, to encourage the downtrodden, to help the needy.

I also want to teach my children how to conserve their money and not blow it as soon as they get it.

I want to teach my children to try their best when they are assigned a task and not take the 'easy road' out.

 

[transientlife]

If I would have kids...hmm, my list would be very much like yours feral.
1) Respect for everyone/thing (goes under tolerance, love, kindness, compassion)
2) Fairness, Honesty
3) Humility, Humbleness
4) Forgiveness
5) Desire for learning
6) Responsibility

I'm sure I could come up with a bigger list...but those are the ones right off the top of my head.

 

[zoe_uu]

Well should we ever want to have a child (which seems far off at this point, but ya never know), I would want to teach them tolerance, respect, honesty, independence, compassion, responsibilty, fairness, a love of learning... that's about all I can come up with right now.

 

[Lifesaver]

Hmm....

-honesty
-compassion for others
-moral rigour
-faith
-value of education and the use of the mind

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

Hmmm. Let's see. I think I would teach them to: be rude, run with scissors, sniff glue, put their fingers in electrical outlets, not wear a seatbelt, always drive faster than the speed limit, go outside in the winter with wet hair, skip class (they know more than the teachers anyway), teach them that money grows on trees, always speak your mind, lie if it gets you out of trouble, hang out with the wrong crowd, smoke cigarettes, eat fast food daily, do whatever feels good, oral sex is really not sex, listen to loud music, stay up all night, brushing your teeth is an inconvenience, stealing is ok as long as you don't get caught, do as I say and not as I do, always blame things on other people, use credit cards to buy anything and everything, don't use sunscreen, live with someone before you get married, there are never any consequences for things you do, and most importantly, learn how to effectively use the term 'whatever' when speaking to anyone older than you are.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Wait wait, just one more. Definitely watch more tv and play PS2.

 

[ravenwolf]

Hmmm. Let's see. I think I would teach them to: be rude, run with scissors, sniff glue, put their fingers in electrical outlets, not wear a seatbelt, always drive faster than the speed limit, go outside in the winter with wet hair, skip class (they know more than the teachers anyway), teach them that money grows on trees, always speak your mind, lie if it gets you out of trouble, hang out with the wrong crowd, smoke cigarettes, eat fast food daily, do whatever feels good, oral sex is really not sex, listen to loud music, stay up all night, brushing your teeth is an inconvenience, stealing is ok as long as you don't get caught, do as I say and not as I do, always blame things on other people, use credit cards to buy anything and everything, don't use sunscreen, live with someone before you get married, there are never any consequences for things you do, and most importantly, learn how to effectively use the term 'whatever' when speaking to anyone older than you are.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Wait wait, just one more. Definitely watch more tv and play PS2.

LOL

let's see, how would i raise my kids if i ever have em???
well i would definatly teach them about different cultures and religions and teach them to respect differences.
I would teach them to be open minded
To be true to themselves
Not to put up with anyones ****
To love themselves
to respect all life
i would teach them to respect their bodies
and teach them that sex is not something to be ashamed of nor is it something to throw around carelessly, but it is a gift and its special.
i would be a health nut mom
OH..and the most important thing is teach em' to have lots of fun and play play play
thats all i can think of
Blessings
~ravenwolf

 

[draper]

Someone said something about the "want to learn." That one's very important.

 

[The Bellman]

The joys of learning, tolerance, that life is too short, the silliness of religion, and to run, not walk, from any person who tries to tell them that they know what god wants.

 

[challenger]

On the extremely unlikely odds I ever go totally insane and have kids I'd tell them:
- that they are free as long as the respect the freedom of others
- that you have to have faith in yourself above all others, but also that you should have faith in your loved ones
- "Whatever you do, don't get married, and don't have kids yourself"

 

[Logic]

1.) Unless you adhere strictly to the Christian (King James version) Bible, you will be cast into a lake of fire and spend eternity in aguish.
2.) Homosexuals are evil, demonic, and hateful people who are trying to drag you down to hell with them.
3.) The Earth is flat, it is the center of the universe, it is 6,000 years old, it was created in 6 days, and the rapture is comming any second, se be prepared!
4.) People of other religions are hellbound heathens and you must stay away from them.
5.) To live a small, uneventful, God-serving life.

(not meant to offend anyone )

 

[Thithy]

Hmmm. Let's see. I think I would teach them to: be rude, run with scissors, sniff glue, put their fingers in electrical outlets, not wear a seatbelt, always drive faster than the speed limit, go outside in the winter with wet hair, skip class (they know more than the teachers anyway), teach them that money grows on trees, always speak your mind, lie if it gets you out of trouble, hang out with the wrong crowd, smoke cigarettes, eat fast food daily, do whatever feels good, oral sex is really not sex, listen to loud music, stay up all night, brushing your teeth is an inconvenience, stealing is ok as long as you don't get caught, do as I say and not as I do, always blame things on other people, use credit cards to buy anything and everything, don't use sunscreen, live with someone before you get married, there are never any consequences for things you do, and most importantly, learn how to effectively use the term 'whatever' when speaking to anyone older than you are.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Wait wait, just one more. Definitely watch more tv and play PS2.

I love it.

I don't know if I can really say more in fear of repeating myself. I'm not sure I'll have children but I would teach them much of what has already been mentioned. Honesty, respect, faith, love, hardwork, conservative political views (sorry, I'm just not a liberal), love for life and learning, and time management.

 

[Cerridwen]

Hey~

1. to have respect for themselves & for others

2. to have compassion

3. to have a love of learning

4. to believe in themselves, above all else

5. to have personal responsibility

6. to acknowledge the beauty & opportunity to learn in everything

7. to never get too busy making a living that they forget to make a life

8. to embrace diversity

9. to think twice, & think again

10. to live, really live life to the fullest

I think if they grow up to be well adjusted, contributing, non-delinquent adults, they'll be okay, lol.
Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[burrow_owl]

- critical thinking.

Everything else should fall neatly into place (and much else - like ethics - will hopefully be gleaned from observation. obviously, if the kid has the devil in 'em, ethics and whatnot shoot to the top of the list).

 

[zoe_uu]

Also, I would teach them how to eat right and take care of their bodies, that exercise is necessary and fun.

 

[Vylo]

Honesty - Is to me the paramount of all morals. This goes along with the next one:

Loyalty - Always be loyal to those who will return the favor. Backstabbing is entirely innappropriate, and you should disassociate with any who performs such an act, as they cannot be trusted.

Generosity - Should you be fortunate in life, be sure to give assistance to those less fortunate then yourself. Do not expect anything in return, not even a "thank you". You are not doing them a favor, you are simply giving them the rights and priviliges they deserve as human beings.

Humility/Pride - Take pride in your accomplishments, but realize you are more then likely not the best at anyone thing, there is almost always someone better, always bear that in mind. Be sure to encourage those who put forth a good effort, regardless of their performance. It is more admirable to strive for a goal and fail, then it is to simply slide effortlessly to victory.

Tolerance - Realize that people are very diverse, and your ways are not always the best, just different.

Religion - Educate yourself on many religions, even if you do not choose to follow one, it will let you better understand those who do.

Fairness - Don't let your emotions cloud your sense of justice. Even if you are friends with or love someone, that does not mean they should be treated differently in every environment.

Responibility - Don't dodge obligations, and don't try to shift the blame if you know you are at fault. If you are partially at fault be sure to make that apparent, don't try to hide what you have done simply to dodge punishment.

 

[12volt_man]

Presuming that you have children or will someday, what values do you feel are the most important to emphasize and teach to them?

Hopefully, I will teach them the values that the Bible teaches in Micah 6:8

In my view...

Tolerance (yes, I'm a liberal ) - I plan to teach my children to have respect for all people, even when what they say or do is questionable or when they disagree. To this end, I plan to expose my children to a wide variety of people, have them visit different churches/mosques/temples/etc, travel, and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds

Honestly? Tolerance is hightly overrated. While I will teach my child that every person is someone whom God created and whom Christ loved enough to die for but I also have to teach them that not everything is worth tolerating.

Honesty - In my opinion, honesty is vital even when it's difficult or gets you into trouble

Yes, honesty is good.

Compassion - ...refuse to tolerate non-compassionate actions.

This contradicts statement on tolerance.