Parenting Tips - How Moral Dilemmas Turn Kids into Independent Thinkers

Parenting Tips for Parents of Children K-6 grades:frequent dilemma discussions.
Do your children choose well when faced with moralConsider discussing this moral dilemma with your kids:
dilemmas? Would you like to prepare them to makeYou are supposed to be home by dark. It is almost
good choices? Find out how to teach them to bedark. You and your friend are in the middle of an
make good decisions and build character too.exciting video game. If you left right now, you'd barely
Recently my son, Brian, who is a young man now,get home in time. What will you do? Why?
asked, "Mom, remember how you always asked meGet your children to discuss this dilemma with you and
when another kid was shamed, hurt, or bullied, 'Howwith each other. Listen to their answers. Is their
would you feel if that happened to you?'"reasoning logical? Do they respect the parent's
"Yes. Why?" I asked.guidance about coming home before dark? Are they
"That really made me think," he said.developing family values? You'll know whether your
Parents, that's exactly what you want your kids to doown code of ethics is sinking in. When kids discuss
- think!moral dilemmas, you help them grow into people of
Listen. I know child-rearing is difficult. I know thecharacter.
disappointment when your child makes poor choices,Moral Dilemmas should include:
skips out on chores, or treats others badly.Problems in school
During my years as a child counselor, I created waysProblems at home
for kids to think, discuss, and make ethical decisions.Problems with friends
My goal was to help them become independentCreate and discuss ethical dilemmas before real life
thinkers rather than crowd followers. Now you canproblems happen. Get your kids to think about others'
help your kids become independent thinkers byfeelings. Get them to think logically. Get them to think
discussing moral dilemmas.right about wrong.
Moral Dilemmas build these 3 qualities in kids:One more thing, when your kids discuss moral
Logical thinkingdilemmas, they'll be thinking larger than themselves.
Respect toward othersThey'll be creating a code of ethics with solutions. Why
Family valuesnot build character now? Use dilemma discussions
Empathy, respect, and honesty can also evolve fromtoday.