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Values serves as a guide for all our actions and decisions. As parents, one of the best gifts for our children is to teach them family values that can guide them in their life’s journey. Like us, our children will go through ups and down and will be exposed to both good and bad values. By holding to a set of core values, they will find it easier to navigate through the rough seas of life.

Children model the people and things that they come into contact with. We must keep a close watch on them. Some of these sources are parents, family members, friends, school, books and media. Remember, if we don’t impart values to our kids, others will. If they assimilate negative values and we do not right them in time, the consequence could be dire.

To help identify your own family values, try the following exercise:

1. Get the family members together to brainstorm what could be ideal family values.

2. Before starting, reinforce that all ideas are welcome, and no one should criticize any ideas.

3. Identify what are existing values in the family

4. Discuss on whether this values should stay or go. Discuss the reasons why.

5. Next identify the values that should be included that are not already included

6. Write this down in a list. Go round the room until there are no more contributions.

7. Group similar values under a single category. For example, kindness and compassion could be classified as love.

8. Strive for a final list that is short, so that your children can remember them easily.

9. Place the values around the house so that it is easier to see them. Write it on a poster and tack it on the wall or frame it up

10. Be flexible to accommodate differences. Interpretation of values may differ between members of the family and everyone should be encourage to discuss when in doubt.