We all hope that the values that are important to each of us are passed along to our children. Often, however, that hope is challenged by a flood of pop culture messages, peer pressure, and over-scheduled lives that leave little time for good counsel or reflection. It’s easy to forget that learning values and character at home is as important as any schoolwork or extracurricular activity. In the real world of jobs and career, people are judged by two standards: their professional skills and their personal traits. While grade school, high school, and college can teach skills and proficiency, it’s up to parents to teach children the attributes that make for success in the real world--diligence, a cooperative attitude, creativity, optimism, assertiveness, and honesty. Schools--particularly college--don’t focus on these issues. That’s the job of the parents, so take the assignment seriously. Send your kids into the world ready to handle not only the tasks of life but also its hurdles, social obstacles, and frustrations with finesse and character. You really can’t start soon enough. After all, children need personal integrity 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, petty concerns will often trump issues of substance, and money won’t always be in ample supply. Exposing children to the harsher realities of life isn’t cruel; giving them that experience and coaching them through it is part and parcel of raising kids to have courage, resilience (适应力), and honor. Do this exercise: write down the 5 to 10 most important messages you want your children to truly understand by the time they enter the real world. Then think through how to teach these crucial lessons. Talking to your kids should be only part of the plan. Letting them witness integrity in action--through your own behavior, by watching documentaries about great people together, or even by visiting a courtroom--is the strongest way to impart the message. By identifying the specific attributes you would like to see in your children, you’re more likely to reinforce those characteristics. So make a point of it. After all, if you don’t teach your children integrity, who will What is the strongest way to impart messages you want your children to truly understand