How values can help shape your family’s future
I read a recent newspaper article written by Gordon Brown with interest. In it, he talked about the global economic challenges that currently face us and his ideas on how we can come through the downturn stronger, not weaker. I’m sure some of you are reading this and wondering what a speech about the credit crunch has to do with parenting. Well, in some respects, quite a lot.
Some of the ideas in the article really struck a chord with me - not as they relate to the economic or political situation, as such, but to families. In a way, economic markets are rather like families. In the same way that the economy can seem out of control at times, family life can sometimes feel equally chaotic. Just as you may feel that the credit crunch has been caused by someone else, as a parent, you may feel that your family problems are not all your fault. Instead, they are the consequence of unseen forces beyond your control.
Fundamental values, writes Mr Brown, are the mainstay of economic markets. They allow them to flourish during the good times and they bring people together when the going gets tough. Values such as fairness, stewardship, a sense of responsibility and cooperation don’t appear of their own accord, but have to be learned within families and communities.
In the same way, I believe that values like these form the basis of a strong family. A positive set of values will guide your reactions and responses to the many situations and challenges that will arise on your parenting journey. They will act as a compass at times of change or when you’re sailing into the uncharted waters of parenthood. As parents, we all value different things. Whilst most people would agree that fairness and cooperation should be high on the list, as a parent you also need to talk together about the things which you consider to be important. Then you need to create a list that you both agree on.
Values don’t just guide you as parents, they will also be there to guide your children in the way they behave with other people - and ultimately, in the way that your children will raise children of their own.
I firmly believe that we can all play our own part in taking control. By holding and being true to your family values, you can also shape your own family’s life. What’s more, you can shape the future of the society in which we all live.
© Christine Meadows