Old-Fashioned Principles Moms Should Pass On To Their Kids

In an ever changing world, it’s sometimes hard to grasp what we should really strive for. Here are eight core traditional family values that modern parents shouldn’t reject:

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I’m a country girl and live in the southeast so there are a lot of old-fashioned traditional values that still exist in our culture. I see, as I travel and scroll online, that there are quite a lot of values that seem to have been discarded in modern times.

I get it, times change.

But there are some things we all agreed were true for centuries and now, somehow, think are no longer applicable.

I’ve written before on family values and family culture, but here I wanted to focus more on some old-fashioned principles and values that we’d do well to hang onto.

For each family, how you go about these values will differ… but I believe that holding fast to some traditional values is a great way to build lasting connections and create a safe place of stability and refuge for your children.

Here in this post we’ll focus on traditional family values that should be passed down to our future generations.

Relationships and Closeness with Extended Family

Have you ever been to a wedding or funeral and realized that’s the only time your family ever gets to spend time with extended relations?

With technology the way it is, there’s no reason why parents can’t make the extra effort to allow kids to get to know extended family…

No-matter the distance.

Relationships and closeness with extended family is one of the main modern day parenting struggles that we face.

Let’s face it- it’s no walk in the park raising kids these days with all the things coming at us to do.

So who really has time for extended family?

I think the benefits outweigh the difficulties it may take to get there:

• You learn more about yourself when you’re around extended family.
• Kids grow up knowing their cousins, extended cousins, etc.
• Stories and family memories can live on.
• Promotes a closeness with the nuclear family.
• Teaches compassion, care for the elders, and family collaboration.

Time Together VS. Obsession with Sports and Peers

Childhood memories (you know… those ones that last a lifetime) don’t happen when you’re driving your kids around to every event you can sign them up for. You know the best memories are made?

In those close-knit, precious times together. Being a family is really about having that time together. Friends will fade. Sporting events, various competitions, and deadlines will fade.

I’m not saying that all the things are bad. No, not at all. But I am saying that obsessing over them- to the point that family time together is no more… that is bad.

Teaching Values VS. Letting Entertainment/Culture Teach Them

I am always truly surprised at the amount of parents I talk to that allow their “core values” to be taught to their kids through entertainment.

Modern day parents should not let media replace their own instruction of values for their family.

This is how I see it- Soon enough, my kids will be out in the world being influenced by whatever comes their way.

For now (then they are little), I want to be the one to instill those values in them. Not modern culture or entertainment. No…

There is a close bond that is formed through the passing on of traditional family values to your kids. I believe they will appreciate this so much more than what any programming can provide.

Hard Work

Traditional hard work is almost obsolete in our world. Our children are even sometimes taught (in public school) that manual labor isn’t considered honorable.

Our society portrays college bound/chained to desk/in front of computer as success. And, it may be for your kids. I’m not saying it’s not. And I’m not saying we should aim for our children to have manual labor jobs as their career.

But hard work (real traditional hard work) is a value that can only be taught within the family unit.

Hard work has its benefits. And, it can be fun too! Here are some of the benefits:

• Teaches collaboaration 
• Builds physical strength
• Fosters appreciation of material things 
• Gives experiences & life skills 
• Teaches the value of time
• Gives a sense of fulfillment and belonging

Some examples of hard work that can be taught at home are chores, yard work, going to work with a parent, and disciple within a physical activity.

Honesty as a Traditional Family Value

Honestly is a traditional family value that modern parents should not reject.

Modern culture says “the ends justify the means.”

It says “If you meant well, it’s ok.”

When left to today’s standards, our kids will learn that the truth waivers…

That truth depends on the viewer.

Hmmmm. I’m not ok with that.

Traditional family values teach that honestly is always the best policy. Even if it hurts…

There’s grace and forgiveness that come with honestly, yes. But there are also consequences and you’re going to own up to them.

Faith

Faith is confidence and assurance in the truth that you proclaim. It’s what your family holds true. This why faith is a traditional family value that modern parents shouldn’t reject.

It can be faith in God’s word, faith in an outcome, or faith as a way of life. Modern families can choose to hold onto this faith as we navigate through this rapidly changing world.

Faith holds a family together. It helps them strive for common goals and creates a place for growth as a unit… and individually.

I believe that faith (and holding fast to faith as a traditional family value) is the crux of many values a family would want to maintain.

Responsibility for Actions and Emotions

Entitlement, avoiding responsibility, shifting blame… ahhh.

These things are so hurtful for children. And, modern parents face these challenges more than ever before. I believe we should hold onto the traditional family value of responsibility.

This training can start at a very young age.

“If I drop it, pick it up. If I make a mess, clean it up. Etc.”

But the root of responsibility is much more than this. It’s accepting true accountability for one’s actions and emotions. It’s also:

• Getting the job done when asked to do so.
• Avoiding laziness.
• Not blaming others for how I feel.
• Staying in control of what I do and say.
• Integrity when nobody is looking.
• Having the moral obligations to behave myself.
• Knowing how to act respectfully.
• Owning up to my mistakes.

Shifting blame from our children to others may make them feel better in that very moment, but it is detrimental to their future.

Responsibility for one’s actions is a key traditional family value that modern parents should not reject.

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