Instilling Good Family Values
Children are the future of this world. It is a parent’s responsibility to teach children certain qualities and values, as these are handed down from generation to generation. Caring parents teach by example, always remembering that genuine praise, guidance, and understanding are the mark of a good parent.
The five “L’s” of a good, strong, family:
-Love is at the heart of the family. Love is the close personal blending of physical and mental togetherness. It includes privacy, intimacy, sharing, belonging, and caring. The atmosphere of real love is one of honesty, understanding, patience, and forgiveness. Such love does not happen automatically; it requires constant daily effort by each family member.
-Learning – Families are where we learn values, morals, skills, and behavior. Strong families manage and control their learning experiences, establish a pattern of home life, and guide their children into the world outside the home. They teach by example and learn through experience as they explain and execute their values.
-Loyalty – Strong families have a sense of fidelity and devotion toward family members. They stand by each other during times of trouble and stand up for each other when attacked by someone outside the family. Children also learn a sense of give and take in the family, which helps prepare them for the necessary negotiations in other relationships.
-Laughter – Through laughter we learn to see ourselves honestly and objectively. Building a strong family is serious business, but if taken too seriously, family life can become very tense. To be helpful, family laughter must be positive in nature. Families that learn to use laughter in a positive way can release tensions, gain a clearer view, and bond relationships.
-Leadership is essential. Certain family members must assume responsibility for leading the family. If no one accepts this vital role as the linchpin of the family, the family will weaken. Each family needs its own special set of rules and guidelines. These rules are based on the family members’ greatest understanding of one another. The guidelines pass along from the adults to the children by example, with firmness and fairness. Strong families can work together to establish their way of life, allowing children to have a voice in decision making and enforcing rules.
Vocabulary:
responsibility – (noun) a duty or job that you are expected to do or take care of, “It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure all passengers are safe during the flight.”
values – (noun/plural) the beliefs people have about what is right, wrong, important, and valuable in life, “The school teaches children positive values like honesty and respect.”
handed down – (phrasal verb) passed from older people to younger people, especially within a family over time, “This beautiful gold watch was handed down to me by my grandfather.”
generation to generation – (idiom) from one age group of a family or society to the next younger group, “The secret recipe for the sauce has been passed from generation to generation.”
by example – (idiom) showing others how to behave by acting in that way yourself, “A good manager leads by example by arriving at work early every day.”
genuine praise – (expression) honest and sincere words of admiration or approval, “Receiving genuine praise from the teacher made the student feel very proud.”
guidance – (noun) helpful advice, direction, or leadership given to someone, “With the coach’s guidance, the team won their very first tournament.”
the mark of – (idiom) a sign, characteristic, or quality that shows a particular feature or standard exists, “Patience is often considered the mark of a truly great teacher.”
at the heart of – (idiom) at the very center, most important part, or core of something, “Trust is at the heart of every successful business partnership.”
togetherness – (noun) a warm feeling of unity, closeness, and friendship from being together with family or friends, “The holiday dinner brought a wonderful sense of togetherness to the family.”
intimacy – (noun) a state of having a very close, private, and personal relationship with someone, “Sharing secrets helps to build a deep level of intimacy between close friends.”
belonging – (noun) a secure feeling of being accepted, loved, and comfortable in a group or place, “Joining the drama club gave him a strong sense of belonging.”
atmosphere – (noun/figurative) the general mood, feeling, or tone of a place or situation, “The candles and soft music created a highly relaxing atmosphere in the restaurant.”
forgiveness – (noun) the act of pardoning someone, or stopping being angry at them for a mistake or wrong action, “He asked for her forgiveness after accidentally breaking her favorite coffee mug.”
automatically – (adverb) happening by itself without any human control, effort, or extra thought, “The smart lights in the hallway turn on automatically when you walk past them.”
constant – (adjective) happening continually, all the time, or without stopping, “The busy highway has a constant flow of traffic day and night.”
morals – (noun/plural) rules or beliefs about what behavior is good and right, “Her strong morals kept her from cheating on the exam, even though it was difficult.”
establish a pattern – (expression) to create a regular, predictable way of doing things over time, “Going to bed at nine o’clock helped her establish a pattern of healthy sleep.”
execute – (verb) to carry out, perform, or do a planned task or action successfully, “The dancers practiced for weeks to perfectly execute their complex routine.”
fidelity – (noun) loyalty, faithfulness, and devotion to a person, belief, or cause, “The soldier was honored for his lifetime of fidelity to his country.”
devotion – (noun) great love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause, “Her complete devotion to her sick dog showed how much she truly cared.”
stand by – (phrasal verb) to support, defend, or remain loyal to someone, especially during a difficult time, “A true friend will always stand by you when you face hard times.”
stand up for – (phrasal verb) to defend or support someone or something that is being criticized or attacked, “You must learn to stand up for your beliefs, even when others disagree with you.”
give and take – (idiom) a process of compromise where both sides make concessions to reach an agreement, “A happy marriage requires a healthy amount of give and take from both partners.”
negotiations – (noun/plural) formal discussions between people or groups who are trying to reach an agreement, “The union leaders and company managers began negotiations for higher wages.”
objectively – (adverb) in a fair way that is based on facts rather than personal feelings, opinions, or emotions, “A judge must look at the evidence objectively before making a decision.”
serious business – (idiom) an important, major, or critical matter that requires careful attention and effort, “Protecting the forest from fires is serious business for the local rangers.”
tense – (adjective) filled with nervous anxiety, stress, or excitement, “The atmosphere in the room became very tense as they waited for the test results.”
release tensions – (expression) to let go of or reduce feelings of stress, worry, or physical stiffness, “Taking a long walk in the park is an excellent way to release tensions after work.”
bond relationships – (expression) to strengthen the emotional connections, trust, and ties between people, “Going on family vacations together is a great way to bond relationships.”
essential – (adjective) extremely important, absolutely necessary, or vital, “Fresh water and clean air are essential for all living creatures on Earth.”
assume responsibility – (idiom) to accept and take on a duty, job, or control of a situation, “She decided to assume responsibility for organizing the charity event.”
vital role – (expression) an extremely important or necessary function or part in a situation, “Regular exercise plays a vital role in keeping your heart healthy.”
linchpin – (noun/figurative) the most important person, element, or thing that holds a group, system, or plan together, “The head programmer was the linchpin of the entire software project.”
guidelines – (noun/plural) general rules, advice, or instructions that show people how to do something correctly, “The government issued new safety guidelines for traveling abroad.”
firmness and fairness – (expression) a balanced approach of being strict and clear with rules while still being just, understanding, and kind, “The school principal managed the students with a perfect mix of firmness and fairness.”
have a voice – (idiom) to have the right to express an opinion, make a choice, or participate in a decision, “Every employee should have a voice in how the office is run.”
decision making – (noun) the action or process of making important choices or judgments, “Learning how to weigh pros and cons is a key part of good decision making.”
enforcing – (verb/context) making sure that a law, rule, or decision is strictly followed and obeyed, “The police are responsible for enforcing the local traffic laws.”