We are not born with a conscience. Guilt is the foundation on which children build a conscience. Guilt is the parent’s voice inside a child’s head asking, is this okay, would I approve? Just a moment’s hesitation, can help a child walk away from danger and wrongs. If children learn to listen to guilt, they will listen to their conscience.

My kids called it the voice in their heads and oh, how they hated that voice (mine). I didn’t mind, because that is how I knew they could hear me even when I wasn’t there.

My family keeps our guilting simple: do not lie, do not steal, do not cheat, do not kill, do not be disrespectful and do not compare people (not even yourself).

By the time a child reaches the age of maturity, their conscience is ready to serve as their moral compass.