How do make sure that you don't raise your kids to be naive or close-minded?

Answer 1

Don't shelter them or keep them from diversity. What I mean by that is to expose them to most anything and everything, unless of course it's damaging to their young minds or illegal.
Even if it's something that you don't agree with, don't keep them from being exposed to it, just express you opinion in non-judgemental ways. It's okay to let them know that you don't agree with it, but don't impress upon them that it is wrong just because you think it is.
And it's okay to discuss illegal activities with them as long as they understand that they are illegal and the negative consequences of them. Otherwise, they will be totally lost when they encounter these situations for the first time and will probably make the wrong choice.

Good Luck!! Parenting can be very stressful at times, but it's well worth it in the end when the "finished product" comes out and you see a well-rounded productive citizen that you have raised and created. Sounds like you are well on the road to doing just that.

Answer 2

Specifically? I think it's all the little things we do that makes the difference. I don't pretend to know everything, and I know in my heart that when she's grown, my goal is for her to be MORE open-minded and wise than I am. I don't know the magic trick to accomplish this, so I take baby steps each day, hoping it works.

We explore together - plays and ballets, concerts in the park of all styles, sometimes we go to parks in other cities (better and worse neighborhoods), we ask questions together on the internet. We check out books at the library about stuff that gives us a peek into the lives of others, whether that's Sacajawea, Kwaanza, gay families, homelessness, Hitler, whatever.

I speak to her honestly about all the things around us. I answer all her questions, even when I don't want to. When the nice man at the Verizon cart at the mall smiled at us, I explained to her why and what he wanted. When we see something on TV, I may play devil's advocate, and try to give her another perspective of the situation. I remind her even in little things, to remember that there's always another way to look at something, not just hers. And I often have to point out that rarely in life do people want to give you something for nothing.

Answer 3

Children learn what they live.

If you present to them a home where they can voice their opinions and keep an open mind to new ideas, even encourage them to do so.... not berate them for being creative.

If you initiate conversations about sex and smoking, drugs, encourage them to ask questions... don't fill their heads with nonsense about storks and cabbage patches, at the right age, of course.. then they will be able to face the world around them with the knowledge that they need...

When someone tells them that X won't hurt them....... they will have the straight story.

Answer 4

By not being naive or close-minded yourself. Take them out in the world, show them the differences in people, both bad and good, model for them the behavior that you want them to emulate as they grow up.

Answer 5

By seriously examining your own views. Often times people who claim to have an open mind really do not when it comes to politics, religion, philosphy, whatever.

No matter how open minded you are, there are certain to be some things you do not like, disagree with, cannot belive, etc. If you want your child to have an open mind, teach them about those things, presenting both sides (even the one you do not agree with) and see how the process goes. And don't reward them if they agree with you or criticize them if they differ with you--let them come to their own conclusions.

hint: you know you'll be doing ok if they don't always agree with you.

Answer 6

I took mine out to different restaurants from different countries. I also explored their varied heritage as they are Burmese, Polish and Spanish. Don't speak down about another race and my mom used to play this game with me as a kid. She got out a world atlas and we had to close our eyes, pick a page and point somewhere on the page and then open our eyes and describe how we would live, eat, habitate etc...

Answer 7

Naive and closed-minded sounds pretty good to me. I"d prefer that over worldly and liberal.

Answer 8

my son one time made a comment at a store about 2 boys misbehaving and a racial one something he father was starting.i told him that they were beening boys and if you judge people by the was they look or because they are thin fat wear glasses or manly because of their skin color that he might have lost whom could have been his best friend for life and believe me i told his father about the way he was trying to raise him my son found ou i was right i now live with an African america and we had a ittle girl (whom passed way)but my son was ready to betup fathers whos sons mad fun of his sister because the boys would have been to young because there was a 12yr age gap

Answer 9

By teaching them HOW to think not WHAT to think....and remember an open mind is a beautiful thing....so long as your mind isn't so open your brain's fall out.

Answer 10

Don't raise them within any strict religious doctrine and let them meet people outside of their socio-economic-religious circle. Encourage thought and conversation and understanding in the home and it will flow outwards.