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Often, your mind is challenged by a flood of pop culture messages, peer pressure, and overscheduled lives that leave little time for good reflection. So, it’s easy to forget that learning values and character at home is as important as any schoolwork or after-school activity.
    In the real world of jobs and career, people are judged by two standards: their professional skills and their personal personalities. While grade school, high school, and college can teach skills and proficiency, it’s up to parents to teach children the qualities that make for success in the real world — diligence, a cooperative attitude, creativity, optimism and honesty. Schools — particularly colleges — don’t focus on these issues. That’s the job of the parents, so take the responsibility seriously. Send your kids into the world ready to handle not only the tasks of life but also its barriers, social obstacles, and disappointments with skill and character.
    Children need personal reliability and morals as much as any adult. Bullies will always be around, tasks won’t always be assigned fairly, the good guys won’t always win, and money won’t always be in plenty supply. Exposing children to the rough realities of life isn’t cruel; giving them that experience and coaching them through is part and parcel of raising kids to have courage, flexibility and honor.
    You really can’t start too soon. After all, if you don’t guide and shape your children, who will?