Teaching integrity to kids

One of the things that I have concerned myself with lately is teaching my kids to have integrity-especially, with their words.

I remember growing up, my Dad would always say that "people are their words." And I am sure that you have heard people say a lot of times that when "people tell you who they are and show it to you, believe them." Even when people pretend to be who they are not at differ different times, they are never truly able to keep it up for long.

In my years of being on this planet, I have tried my best to let my words mean something. And I am not saying that I have been successful doing that all the time. However, I want my kids to be full of integrity. To have so much deposit of it in their lives that they are able to say what they mean, and mean what they say.

How do we do that?

• We teach our kids right from wrong and trust that they will do the right thing. One thing that I really detested growing up was that the adults in my life often had a default resignation that I was going to do the wrong things. Even when I was never really a wild child. So, they rather punish me for something that I haven’t even done or go out trying to fix something they think I have done. I don’t want to be like that with my kids. I think everyone deserves the benefit of doubt, more so our kids. We trust that what we instil in them will find its way when it truly matters and they will do the right thing.

• When they do something wrong, we assist them (while they are still young) in taking responsibility for their actions and work out how to make amends.

• We show them examples of integrity by living up to our words regardless of the consequences. Sometimes, that may mean telling them they are not going to have screen time until a certain time (or whatever it is your kids always request) or even commiting to strangers or relatives about something. If you wouldn’t mean it, do not say it. Don't forget that everything you do now demonstrates to your kids how to act in different scenarios of life.

• We hone up to our mistakes and the steps we are taking to make it right. Either that is by apologising to the kids when we've done something wrong or taking steps with our partners and others to make things right. No one is perfect with everything in life. We are going to slip up sometimes, but we can demonstrate integrity to our kids by honing in on those mistakes and showing them how to make things right.

• We continue to teach and trust that we are raising some intelligent kids who will find a way to do the right things.

I hope this helps you have a better relationship with your kids this summer holiday. Those are some highly intelligent kids you've got there. Teach and show what you want them to know and watch them make those lessons their own. Even when it doesn’t look like it, they are listening.