This study attempted to explore parents’perceptions on the character and character education for their children using a focus group interview method. According to previous research, the concept of character consists of wholeness of three components: relationship, individuality, and morality. This study investigated how parents’ perception differ from the widely agreed concept of character. Forty-four mothers and ten fathers participated in eleven focus group interviews. The results showed that parents recognized social relationship and self realization as two most important components of character education of children. However, the parents paid less attention on morality and wholeness. The parents conceptualized character as an alternative to academic achievement. For example, they considered self realization as an alternative to academic achievement. These tendencies could be a barrier in character education in family. Based on these findings, this study recommends that parent education should take more attention on character education in family and help parents develop a balanced understanding on the concept of character.