Teaching honor and integrity when everyone else is cutting corners

3d ago·1 min read

My oldest came home and said some kids at school were sharing test answers before the exam. He asked if it was okay to join in and I about lost it. Sat him down and explained that your word and your integrity are all you really have in this life. A gentleman keeps his commitments and does the right thing even when no one is watching. He seemed to get it but I worry about peer pressure. How do you instill these values when the culture around us doesn't seem to care anymore?

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Comments(4)

BBen M.New Dad2d ago

Good for your son for even asking instead of just doing it. That's already integrity showing up. I've found that rewarding those moments when they choose the hard right over the easy wrong really reinforces it. Even small acknowledgment matters.

SSteve H.New Dad2d ago

The hardest part is they'll see kids who cheated get better grades short term. You just have to trust that teaching them integrity now pays off in who they become as adults, not just test scores.

JJoey M.New Dad1d ago

This is such an important question. I had the same moment with my oldest last year. I sat him down and we talked about how the easy path now becomes the hard life later. He decided not to participate and honestly I was proud. Might lose a few test points but he sleeps better at night.

CCraigNew Dad2d ago

Man this hits different when they're co-parenting situations. I have to make sure my kids have the same value system at both houses. Found out my daughter was considering cutting corners at mom's place and had to have a real conversation about consistency in character.