What is the difference between a "good" child and a "bad" one? Maybe Santa can tell the difference, but for the rest of us it isn't always so easy to know. Are you "good" if you listen? Show respect? Do well in school? Do all of these, and more? Whatever it means to be a good child, it does not mean being perfect. It does involve qualities like compassion, understanding, self-discipline, and appreciation, though. Maybe one way to think of it is this: good children put themselves on the path toward becoming happy, successful adults. Any parent would appreciate this type of "good" child.