Parenting Finesse Tip 9: Tell Less. Explore More

"When you give your children knowledge, you are telling them what you think. That is, you are telling them what they are supposed to know, what you want them to understand is true.

"When you give your children wisdom, you do not tell them what to know, or what is true, but, rather, how to get to their own truth." 
—Neale Donald Walsch 

There is much that our children need to be taught of right and wrong. That is certainly important. In addition, what is even more important is that they be taught not only how to think, but how to know themselves enough to learn to know their own authentic truth. This they must learn to do on their own. They do need guidance, but guide. Don't take over.

As soon as you get into lecture mode is where you take over their thinking and they become resistant to your teachings. Be careful that while you teach that you don't do their thinking for them. The best strategy for this is to speak less than you ask questions. Then listen long and draw out their thinking and ideas. Explore and support their thinking with them where you can. Respectfully challenge their thinking when it needs to be.