by R.L Hanlon

Created on: February 11, 2008

Integrity, a quality that very few people I know and have known possess. Although many people are taught behavior, peer pressure and the desire to be bigger and better than everyone else can soon test a person's integrity. It's a very fine line if you possess the qualities that allow you to say "no" compared to those that may make you defy your morals and beliefs. This is especially so when money, career advancement or simply being able to fit in and be accepted test your integrity.

When it comes to teaching your children how to possess integrity, we can only sow the seeds to give them the opportunity to form this characteristic. They grow to be individuals; they grow to have their own wants and desires. We can only hope we've instilled enough knowledge and self-belief that they use these tools to show integrity.

Here are some ways a parent can begin sowing the seeds of integrity in their children.

~Explain and Talk to Your Child~

Talk to your children all the time about actions you do. Discuss and explain the reason why that person he sees slumped on the street is in that position. If you donate money or volunteer at an organization, explain to your child why you do so and how it makes you feel. Discuss what a good deed is and how you have helped that person.

Although our children are children, they are not stupid. They do understand feelings and actions that make people happy.

When your child performs an action that is classified as a good deed, always remember to use positive reinforcement. Discuss how they made that other child happy, or if it's not a good deed, how they made that other child unhappy.

~Teach Right from Wrong and Consequences of Actions~

Even when your children are babies, we need to teach them right from wrong. They need to understand what things are acceptable, and those that will attract serious consequences. This includes actions, behavior and understanding what hurts and maims and what does not. Children should be taught boundaries, those lines that they can cross and those they cannot.

~Lead by Example~

As a parent you may have one eye on your children most of the time, but realize that there are two directed at you all of the time. When you have more than one child, consider the number of eyes that are watching and learning from you.

Children mimic their parents. This is how they learn to talk, how they learn to behave and how they must treat other people. Stick by your beliefs and show integrity everyday in your life and you will see children

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