How Aristotle's Virtues Help Parents Raise Successful Kids Raising children is hard work, and parents around the world often look for guidance on how to do it right. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, philosopher Aristotle's guidelines for happiness can be a valuable resource. His ethical virtues can help children grow into confident and fulfilled adults. By focusing on creating a positive environment and teaching kids to be content with what they have, parents can give them the best chance at a happy life. Thanks, Aristotle! When children arrive in the world, parents hope to create a life that will equip them with the tools they need be happy, confident and fulfilled adults. With Aristotle’s guidance on virtue-based living (AKA parenting), parents can give kids what they need most - internal stability founded upon moral excellence - so they may navigate life’s challenges with grace and ease! Read about how raising successful kids correlates with Aristotle’s definition of happiness & flourishing life paths…for both parents AND kiddos alike! Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who believed that there were certain virtues that every person should strive to develop. These virtues include things like courage, empathy, and trustworthiness. While some of these virtues may come naturally to your children, others will need to be cultivated. How can parents use Aristotle's virtues to raise successful kids? Aristotle believed that there were certain virtues which were necessary for a happy, fulfilled life. He believed that if parents could instil these virtues in children, they would be more likely to lead successful, happy lives as adults. Here are three of Aristotle's virtues and how you can help your children develop them. Courage Aristotle defined courage as "a mean with regard to feelings of confidence and fear." In other words, courageous people are not completely without fear or completely confident; rather, they have learned how to control their fear and use it in positive ways. You can help your children develop courage by teaching them how to face their fears head-on. When they are afraid of something, encourage them to talk about what is making them afraid and then brainstorm ways to overcome that fear. For example, if your child is afraid of swimming, you could take them to swimming lessons together so that they can slowly become more comfortable in the water. With time and practice, they will develop the courage needed to swim on their own. Truthfulness Aristotle's definition of truthfulness is "a mean with regard to telling the truth and lying." In other words, truthful people are not always completely honest or completely dishonest; rather, they have learned how to use honesty in positive ways. You can help your children develop truthfulness by teaching them the importance of being honest. Explain to them that while it is sometimes tempting to tell a lie, it is always better to tell the truth. Help them practice being honest in everyday situations, such as when they are playing with friends or doing chores around the house. With time and practice, they will develop the truthfulness needed to be honest in all areas of their life. Fulfillment Aristotle's definition of fulfillment is "a life well lived in accordance with reason and virtue." In other words, a fulfilled life is one in which we use our reason (or our ability to think logically) and our virtue (or our good character) to make choices that will lead us toward happiness. Fulfillment may seem like a difficult concept for young children to grasp, but there are ways you can start teaching this virtue early on. For example, you could explain why it is important to eat healthy foods or why it is important to brush our teeth regularly. Helping your children see the connection between their choices and their well-being will start them on the path toward fulfillment. As a parent, it is natural for you want your children to be happy and successful in life. By teaching them Aristotle's virtues (for example courage, empathy, and fulfillment) you can set them on the path toward becoming confident, well-rounded adults who contribute positively to society. We all want our children to be successful - but what does that mean? And how do we achieve it? This blog post dives into the answer, using Aristotle’s virtues as a guide. Click to read more about raising successful kids!