Having a son is one of the most joyful experiences we can have in life. But it’s also an adventure because there are no directions when it comes to raising children with the characteristics of a good person.
There are many important things that make up the characteristics of a good son, and there are so many opportunities to foster these traits in your kids as you raise them into successful adults.
These little people we raise will grow up to be the kind of individuals we set the example for. Children learn from their parents, good, bad, or indifferent.
Characteristics of a Good Son
Having a son is a wonderful gift as you are raising the next generation of men. Especially in this world, it’s crucial to raise strong and protective men who are not afraid to show their emotions.
There are several words of advice you can share with your child that will ensure the characteristics of a good son.
Be Open With Your Parents
Whether or not you have a close relationship with your parents, it’s essential to keep them informed. Help them to understand what is important to you.
Try not to limit your conversations, be open, let them know your hopes and fears in life. Remember, they have been through it.
A son should feel free to discuss all manner of topics with his parents. It is important for both parents and their son to have an open dialogue.
Parents want their children to be as happy as they can be, and they want them to lead lives that are fulfilling and meaningful.
Parents will gladly help their children if they know what those needs are and can provide the resources necessary for meeting those needs. In order to do this successfully, it’s important for parents and their children to maintain open lines of communication with one another.
Parents also need to communicate with their children about what they are doing, feeling, and planning. That way, children feel like they are included in the family and that they have a say in the family’s future.
It is important for parents to listen to their children and give them space to make decisions. If parents communicate with their children about their hobbies, life goals, friends, etc., it will make the relationship stronger and more open.
Make Your Own Decisions
Be a self-reliant man, and learn to make informed decisions for yourself.
It’s okay to depend on others for some things, but you need to make your own decisions in life.
Treasure Your Time With Your Parents
As much as it hurts us to think about it, our parents won’t be here forever.
You might have heard the old saying that we should treasure our time with our parents before they pass on. We should not wait for them to get sick or pass away before appreciating and spending time with them because life is unpredictable.
It’s important to spend time with the people you love, young and old.
It can be difficult, but it’s worth it when you know they will appreciate the time you are spending with them. It’s also worth taking the time to tell children to treasure their time with their parents as well as themselves.
With so many distractions in today’s society, it can be difficult to unplug and spend quality family or friend time together. But, everyone has busy schedules from time-to-time, so it’s important to prioritize time with others.
In the grand scheme of things, life is short and very precious. Spend as much time as you can with your parents. Spending quality time with them will mean more to them than you know.
Have Gratitude
Gratitude is a quality that is often overlooked.
It’s important to show gratitude for the little things that happen in life. This allows you to feel better and develop a positive outlook, even when things aren’t going well.
Gratitude also strengthens your relationship with others.
There are many expressions of gratitude, but thank you notes are a simple way to show gratitude toward others. When someone does something nice for us, we should always make sure to send them a thank you note as soon as we can.
To practice gratitude privately, you can also try writing in a gratitude journal or making gratitude a daily habit as part of your evening routine.
These are my favorite gratitude journals for boys and teens:
It’s easy to forget the time you spend with your parents and all that they do for you. They have put effort into raising a good son, and it’s crucial that you recognize all they have done for you.
Respect Your Parents
These people gave you life. Give them the respect they deserve, and in turn, they will treat you with respect. This will form a strong appreciation between the two of you.
Be Loyal
Be someone others can trust, especially when it comes to family and friends. Do what you say you are going to do and stick by those most important to you.
Loyalty is an important characteristic of a son because it can lead to support and protection in the future.
Loyalty is a character trait that can be applied in all areas of life – no matter who you are interacting with.
Be Helpful
One of the most important traits a son can have is to be dependable.
One way to show dependability is to help out when needed. You may not have the skillset or the means, but with a little bit of effort and time, you can make a difference in someone’s life.
For younger boys, foster a dependable work ethic with a chore chart.
Don’t be afraid to help other people, especially your parents. You want your parents to know that they can depend on you, just as you depended on them growing up.
Don’t Be Afraid to Smile
Keep a sense of humor.
Laughter is so important in life and can be a lifesaver in so many situations. It will help you deal with the stress of everyday life.
Spend time laughing with your loved ones as you recall fond memories together.
Always be Polite
Show courtesy to those around you, especially your parents and elders. Your good manners will always stand out and get noticed.
Parents need to teach their sons manners. Some simple things that parents can teach their sons include:
- Shake hands with someone (or politely greet them) when they meet them for the first time
- Beg pardon when they sneeze or cough and cover their mouth
- Say “please” and “thank you” when someone does something nice
Be a Kind Person
Be the kind of person people want to be around. There is a tremendous amount of strength in being gentle and kind.
Always treat others with kindness.
There’s so much more to raising a boy than just teaching him to be “tough” or “strong.” These characteristics of a good son need to be fostered by all parents.