Teaching Children Not To Abandon Their Principles – Being Parents

The need for recognition from others is inherent in life in society. This is a normal phenomenon and we all adapt to each other to some extent to establish social bonds. However, we must teach our children not to abandon their principles from an early age for the need of recognition from their peers. Indeed, no healthy relationship requires them to give up their own personalities.

We all know that adolescence is a time of life for friends. The young person’s group of friends becomes a very important part of his identity. However, from childhood, the pressure related to the need to integrate and to accept is felt. Therefore, we should talk to our children from an early age about the importance of being ourselves.

Not giving up on your principles is staying true to yourself

Our principles shape our identity. They define our attitudes and our desires. What we are ready to give. And, what we hope to receive. These precepts guide us on the path of life and serve as a compass for making decisions. Although there are universal principles, each adopts them in their own way. That’s what makes her the person she is.

As parents, we strive to instill certain values ​​in our children. We help them understand the difference between good and bad. We try to give them examples and tools to become good people in the broad sense of the term.

Without a doubt, the family environment lays the foundations for the education of the child in terms of values. However, many times life will test these values. Every moral principle that is not well rooted will be shaken at the risk of being torn off.

The desire to be accepted by others and the need to be part of a group can lead children and teens to make decisions they will later regret. It is therefore good to explain to them the importance of not betraying oneself in order to gain the acceptance of others.

Teach your children not to give up on their principles

Self-respect

Self-respect is absolutely essential for a child (or an adult) to be happy. Teaching a child to listen to their own desires and understand their emotions will make their life easier in many ways. Also, preferring to choose oneself over choosing others is not a selfish act. It is actually the most important act of love of all: self-love.

Parents should strive to build such a healthy self-esteem in their children that they will not hesitate for a moment when someone asks them to give up their self-esteem. Indeed, a person who tries to humiliate us, use us or beat us does not deserve our friendship. And children should be fully aware of this.

The respect of others

Often, children and young people can find themselves in situations where they are made to side with the victim or the torturer. Indeed, it is possible that your child’s group of friends will criticize, attack or harass another friend. In this case, the group can put pressure on your child to follow the group in this direction.

Fear of rejection can lead them to participate in aggressive acts. This is the reason why it is necessary to have firmly rooted values. A child deeply centered on kindness, tolerance, solidarity and empathy is then more likely to refuse to engage in such behaviors. He understands that is not acceptable. Not only because of the harm done to the victim, but also because he knows his own actions define him as a person.

Honesty

From early in their pre-teens, it is common for children to start using little lies. Sometimes still they omit part of the truth from their parents. It is then important to work with them on the concept of honesty so that these lies do not become a bad habit later.

We must try to make our children understand that honesty is the way to courage. Even if lying can sometimes seem convenient to us and save us trouble on certain occasions. In the long run, it only makes things worse and makes us dishonest.

Through these few thoughts, we wanted to remind everyone that everyone forges their personality on the principles that they consider important to them. One of the roles of parents is to guide children in choosing the values ​​that will accompany them throughout their lives. So work with your children on these principles that you think are important. You will then make wonderful human beings out of them.