Raising Kids Simply

First let's examine what simplicity for kids is not.

Simple living is not "green living" or otherwise saving the planet. I've read books on raising "simple" kids which focus solely and exclusively on being green. Bunk. Personally I don't care if you impart these values to your children or not — but please note this constitutes a belief, not a behavior. Beliefs may or may not simplify one's life; but behaviors (which after all are based on choices) will make or break a person.

Sorry if this offends, but the statistics are indisputable: an intact home is possibly the single biggest factor to raising secure children who will have the ability to make those critically good choices that will contribute toward a simple life.

Raise your children with a strong moral foundation. Often a religious upbringing contributes to this, but all the churching in the world won't help if the parents don't model strong ethics themselves.

These ethical choices should include keeping one's word, working hard, being honest, being kind, and other important and intangible behaviors. Children who have a strong moral foundation upon which to stand grow up more likely to make good choices as teens and adults. It is astounding how much kids internalize the values of their parents, and how strongly this will influence their adult lives.

NOTE: The concepts in this article might seem old fashioned. They are, and that's because simple lives are happy lives.