There is nothing that bothers like a child with no morals. At a young age, children need to have values that matter. A child is entitled to know what is wrong and right. Don’t ever think that it is still too early for you to instruct morals. They ought to know the basics, like honesty, courtesy, respect, gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, compassion, perseverance, humility and responsibility.
When I was little, it was a must to greet people— those I knew and the ones I’d just met. It was also my responsibility to set the table for dinner/lunch and clear it after we were done eating. I learnt how to wash my own clothes in primary two. In primary four I could whip up a decent meal. Mom taught me a lot at a young age even though we had a maid. This taught me to be hardworking and independent. All the values I learnt are still helpful. So teaching your child to do some housework is not mistreating them.
Teach a child honesty, they ought to tell the truth so that you guide them even when they are in trouble. If you don’t encourage truthfulness, your child might end up telling lies all the time. Imagine your child coming back from school with fresh bruises and if asked about what happened, he says that he fell down while playing yet he actually was in a fight at school. His worry could be being blamed. He doesn’t want to explain himself. Encourage truthfulness even when it is hard. No matter your busy schedule, you ought to be present in your child’s life. You can only instil honesty if you are honest yourself. Kids grasp a lot from what they see, take note of that. When you lie, they will lie because you are the role model.
Your child needs to be determined, give them praise when they are making efforts to accomplish something more than the results. Don’t underestimate your child, believe that they can do better, do not do everything for them, rather, encourage them to do something on their own and even take risks if it is called for. Be patient. Let them fail and encourage them on the way forward.
Consideration is also key. A child needs to value other people’s feelings. They should make others happy and ask for forgiveness when they wrong anyone. They should say sorry, only if it is sincere not just for the sake of it. Teach love, give love. Balance the way you love all your kids, don’t favour one over the other/s. If you are to buy something, buy for them all. Teach kids selflessness, sharing, bonding experiences, and patience.
Let your child have meaningful relationships, set reasonable boundaries for them, help them manage their emotions, give them enough time and hear them out, allow them to play, eat well, and have enough sleep.