The idea of “goodness” has become a tricky one in parenting circles. Maybe because it carries moral weight at a time when morality feels up for grabs, something each person is expected to figure out on their own.
But when we give up a shared sense of what’s good and what’s bad, kids don’t become freer. They become confused, unsure of what they’re even aiming for.
As parents ourselves, we want to raise good kids. Not just well-behaved kids. Not just happy, successful, or confident kids. And definitely not perfect kids.
To do that, we have to start by giving our children clarity about what’s truly good, true, and worth aiming at.