Teaching Your Tween about Honesty
Character Education at a Critical Age
Teaching honesty seems like a lost art in so many ways in today's world. Take the time to teach your tween about this important character trait.
Character education is important at any age, but this is especially true as your child hits the tween years. This is a time when your child may try to get away with little fibs and may stretch the truth. He is exerting his independence and seeing how far you will let him go. Honesty is a virtue that children should learn early, and it will be a lesson that they will remember for a lifetime. If you are not sure how to teach your tween the importance of honesty, here are some tips to get your started.
Talk about Honesty
Talking about honesty may seem simple. However, if you don’t talk about it, then your tween may not know where you stand. You need to talk to your tween about what is acceptable as far as honesty goes and what is not. All adults are guilty of stretching the truth now and again or fibbing a bit not to hurt someone’s feelings. This is a fine line for children and you need to talk about it.
Show Through Example
Children watch parents. They pick up on their facial expressions, their dialect, and the ways of living. If you want your child to be honest, then you need to be honest yourself. It is not always easy, but there are ways you can word things to your child so that they know you are not lying, but telling the truth. For example, what do you say when your tween asks you if you ever smoked cigarettes? You may be tempted to lie and say no, but that is not the right thing to do. You should tell your child to truth and through that he will learn honesty by example.
Give Your Child Responsibility
In order to learn honesty, your child needs to have responsibilities. He needs to know that when he fails in completing his jobs, whatever they may be, there are consequences if he lies about what has happened. For example, if you give your tween the job of feeding the dog each night and he does not do it, then when the dog starts whimpering and looking for dinner your child needs to own up to his mistake.
Don’t Expect Perfection
No one is perfect—not you or your child. Never call your child a liar, even if you know he is not telling the truth. This will hurt your child and will damage your relationship. Furthermore, it is best to avoid arguments and asking questions you already know the answer to. If you know your tween came home too late, why even ask? Instead, point out the misdeed and ask your child how he will rectify the situation.
Honesty is important and these tips will help you teach your child the difference between right and wrong. You will feel better knowing you played an active role in helping to shape your child's character.
