The everyday moments of life offer opportunities for parents to teach their children positive values.

However, teaching is learned best through active demonstration. Children learn what they see as much as what they hear. If parents want their children to be honest and sincere, they must practice behaving truthfully and kindly.

Simply hoping a child will become a caring individual is not enough. Lessons must be taught through positive role modeling, and parents should be the greatest examples.

Parents who want their children to perform household chores correctly should show them how to do each step and explain with clear instructions. It is easier for a child to feel successful in completing a task if he or she understands what is expected.

Children develop character when they do as they are told, even if they do not wish to do what is expected. One good example is doing homework right after school. Most young people would rather wait until right before bedtime, but when they do this, often they forget, or get too tired to finish their work.

Related to school, parents sometimes worry more about their children’s friendships than their grades. Explaining how to make and keep friends can be a difficult endeavor. Young people should realize they don’t have to be the most popular student to be happy.

The ability to make friends requires practice and skill. The following are a few suggestions parents might consider teaching their child:

* Do not be jealous of others

* Respect the rights of others

* Follow the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you)

* Try not to complain about the small things

* Develop a sense of humor

* Remember your positive qualities and act securely in your ability to be a good friend

People generally become friends by spending time together while enjoying shared interests. They find common ground so they can better relate to each other.

Once they become close, they begin to share secrets and even criticism.

Unfortunately, some good friends become time-consuming, pushy, and/or jealous of other friends. There are many good books adolescents can read to help them deal with friendship battles. One suggestion is “A Good Friend: 10 Traits of Enduring Ties,” by Les Parrott.

Sometimes authors can get a point across in a very direct, yet meaningful way that might be tedious for some parents.

Teaching values and good morals to children in the 21st century requires exposure to what is right and what is wrong or harmful. Children are very inquisitive and eager to please their friends as a means to “fit in.” Peers can have heavy influence on the developing minds of young people.

This is why we must choose our friends wisely.

Making wise choices about what movies to watch, what music to listen to, and what friends to associate with are all of utmost importance when teaching young people how to make wise choices throughout their lifetime.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who serves as an English instructor for Daphne Middle School and Faulkner State Community College.

Rogers’ column runs twice a month, exclusively in the Daphne Bulletin and on baldwincountynow.com.