Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

Family Values - Getting Kids to Respect Themselves

2009-12-15T03:00:00-08:00

Kids with self-respect have character and discipline. Character is a force of gravity. It keeps kids grounded. Respect is the fruit of character and discipline. So how do you help your kids respect themselves and build character too?

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. – Abraham J. Heschel

The Family Meeting Increases Family Values

Compare your kids to a beautiful evergreen tree. Its roots are surrounded by rich soil. That soil is your family values. To keep your kids grounded, healthy, and strong, they must be loyal to their family values.

Discuss your family values within the Family Meeting

What are family values?

How is self-respect a family value?

What is self-discipline?

How does self-discipline increase self-respect?

How do kids act when they don’t practice self-discipline? Give examples.

How can family members become strong like the mighty evergreen tree?

What is one practical thing you each can do to increase your self-respect?

Write it down. Make it a promise. Post it on the refrigerator.

The Family Meeting can guide your kids to become strong respectful people of character. It only takes 30 minutes a week. If your kids are like most kids, they watch TV 23 hours a week. Do those programs build self-respect and character? The Family Meeting does. Make time for family meetings. I know you can.

Want to have your comments, questions, tips, and first name included in my next Family Meeting eBook? Just leave your comments below.

If spelling or grammar are problem, don't worry. I'll do the editing. To assure you of quality no links or objectionable material will be included.

I invite you to receive 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids when you subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you’d like a ready-made notebook to keep track of your family meetings, Pick up my Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006 It will become a treasure of how you created a loving family.

2009-12-10T19:32:28-08:00

Being on Jury Duty these past few days inspired me. I saw the fairness in our system. The lawyers were professional and respectful.

The judge respected the lawyers by letting them lay out the case and she respected the jurors in the manner she gave us several instructions. She never gave us her impressions or tried to sway us in any way.

The jury, without knowing each other, came together to discuss and make decisions. Each member took the task seriously and we made the best decisions we could with the information we had.

If you get the call to be a juror, take it. You'll be inspired too.

The Family Meeting: How Kids Discuss a Family Slumber Party

2009-12-10T03:00:00-08:00

Kids enjoy slumber parties with their friends. Why not enjoy a slumber party within your family? Look inside to find out how.

Building character takes more than rules. It takes fun times together. A family slumber party will be remembered long after it is over. It will warm your hearts.

"The grass isn't greener on the 'other side. The grass isn't greener on your side. It's Greener where you water it." - Source Unknown

The Family Meeting:

To water the grass within your home, hold a family meeting to plan a family slumber party. Find out the answers to the following questions:

When shall we schedule it?

Which room is best for the party?

Who’ll get out the sleeping bags?

Who wants pop corn for the party?

Do you want to talk and giggle late into the night?

What else would you like to do at the party?

Conclusion for the Family Meeting:

Besides looking forward to the slumber party, realize how much you are teaching your children. They’ll learn to brainstorm good ideas, make group decisions, enjoy each other, and build a creative character too. Let the weekly family meeting help you parent with excellence. You can water the grass within your home.

How do you have family fun?

Additional Help:

Our Family Meeting Diary records your parenting skills and proves you helped your family grow with fun activities. Pick it up and play today.

Family Fun ~ How Kids Discuss a Family Music Night

2009-12-08T03:00:00-08:00

Would you like to build a happy character in your kids? Even if your family lacks talent, have fun together. Create a music night. Look inside to find out how.

"How do you spell Love to your children? T.I.M.E " - Source Unknown

Hold a Family Meeting:

Don’t let your kids become shy, fearful of making mistakes, or feel their opinions don’t count. Loosen them up by planning a family music night.

Help your kids discuss the following:

Find a night that fits for everyone

Decide which kitchen utensil will be the microphone

Pick out the best music to play

Ask, “Who wants to sing?

Dance?

Clap to rhythm?

Whistle?

Mime a song?

Play an instrument?

On Family Music Night

When one round of songs is finished, take turns using the different ways to make music. Keep playing and exchanging until everyone has tried every method.

Become an orchestra. Pick the best song for everyone to express themselves together.

The family meeting helps everyone look forward to music night. When the members can be silly, express themselves without criticism, and have fun together, your family will be building a happy character within each person.

Additional Help:

Record your Family Meeting Discussion in our Family Meeting Diary. Years from now read your Family Diary and remember how much fun you had.

Parents, Come Blog Your Comments Into This New Family Meeting eBook

2009-12-05T10:39:40-08:00

Dear Parents,

Family meetings create an unbeatable bond between parents and kids. In family meetings parents have the opportunity to build character, plan events, discuss problems, and have fun with their kids. The family meeting is the natural forum for guiding our children.

Your Invitation to Write Your Family Meeting Comments into My Next eBook:

Want to have your comments, questions, or tips, and first name included in my next Family Meeting e-Book? Just leave your comments on some or all of my blogs about the family meeting.

If spelling or grammar is a problem, don't worry. I'll do the editing. To assure you of quality, no links or objectionable material will be included.

I'd love to include your ideas, questions, and comments.

With warm wishes for your family meeting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

The Family Meeting ~ Kids Discuss Family Fun with Candle Light and Games

2009-12-03T03:00:00-08:00

Help your kids discuss family fun events before it’s too late. Don’t know how? Find out with the power of family meetings to bond your family with fun activities like the one below. It builds character too.

The Family Meeting

The thunder is roaring. The lightning is crackling. Enjoy the dark with candles. This is the time to create pleasant memories.

Discuss how to prepare for storm events:

Talk about what it was like before the light bulb

Plan a candle light game night

Talk about safety and candles

Ask who will find the candles?

Find out which board games the family enjoys?

Where are they stored?

Will there be cookies?

Who will get them?

The Family Meeting is perfect for planning family fun and building character. When the power goes out, light the candles. You don’t have to wait for thunder and lightning. Get your kids to discuss how to have family fun now.

Why not pretend the power is out tonight? Enjoy your kids.

What does your family do when the power goes out?

Additional Help:

Pick up the Family Meeting Diary to keep a log of your family meetings. Years from now, it will become your family memory book. Why not start today?

The Family Meeting – How to Help Your Kids Discuss Friendships

2009-11-24T03:00:00-08:00

Most kids don’t know how to make a friend. They may be shy, too loud, brag, or try too hard. If your child wants friends but doesn’t know how to make them, look inside.

"A cheerful friend is like a sunny day spreading brightness all around."
- John Lubcock

The Family Meeting

Teach your child how to make friends within the family meeting.

Let’s say your child has a basketball and sees some neighbor kids but doesn’t know how to approach them. Discuss with your child how to ask them to play.

Talk about why he must look cheerful
Instruct him to smile
Ask him what he’d say
Tell him call out to the kids in a loud clear voice
Role-play together how to make friends with them

Use the family meeting to teach your kids social skills. When kids discuss and role-play how to make friends, they’ll be prepared. Enjoy watching them become friendly children. You’ll be teaching them an important skill for life. They’ll be happy and confident too.

Additional Help:

Life is hard when your child needs friends

and you don't know how to help. If you're

looking for solutions, pick up my

Social Skills Kit for Kids

with 50 fun social skills to choose and role-play at: http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd011

Does your child have trouble making friends?

Family Values ~ How to Help Kids Discuss Why Lying Is Wrong

2009-11-19T03:00:00-08:00

If your kid tells lies, use the family meeting. It’s painful to learn that your kids lie to you, friends, and teachers. Look inside to find out how the family meeting can turn fibbers into honest children.

Always tell the truth. That way, you don't have to remember what you said. – Mark Twain

The Family Meeting

Have a story and some handy discussion questions ready to help your kids share their opinions about lying. Consider the following:

Let’s pretend you just told your mom that your little brother lost your homework. She’s scolding your brother and he’s crying. The truth is you never did your homework.

Will you tell the truth? Why or why not?

Why do you think kids lie?

Do you care if someone lies to you? Why?

How can you tell if a friend is lying?

How would you tell a friend he’s lying? Role-play it.

Why is being honest better than lying even when you know you’ll get into trouble?

Help your kids discuss why lying is wrong. Use short stories and good questions. You’ll find the family meeting to be the perfect place to teach them honesty.

Additional Help:

Dilemma discussions take little time and

give your children your moral guidance.

Pick up my Dilemma Discussion Kit with

51 carefully crafted discussions.

The Family Meeting ~ Kids Discuss Why Bragging Loses Friends

2009-11-12T06:00:00-08:00

Do your kids brag? How do you stop them without crushing their spirits? Some kids say ridiculous things like, “My dad killed a bear with his bare hands.” Or “I’m the smartest kid in my whole class.” Such bragging needs to stop if they’re ever going to have friends. Look inside to see how the family meeting can help.

“Tell me what you brag about and I’ll tell you what you lack.” – Spanish Proverb

It’s not pleasant to hear your Sophie brag to other kids. Before correcting her and crushing her feelings, consider using the family meeting.

The Family Meeting

Discuss why most kids don’t like kids who brag:

Ask your kids, “Why isn’t bragging a good idea for making friends?”

If you brag, what might kids think of you?

When you brag, why do kids think you feel like you’re better than them?

What might your bragging tell kids about how you feel about yourself?

What are better ways to make friends? Why?

Perhaps Sophie brags because she really is smarter, better at sports, and good at music. Sophie doesn’t realize that all kids want to feel important.

Maybe Sophie brags because she lacks self-confidence and tries to make other kids think she’s a big shot. Neither way works and kids won’t like her.

Spend lots of time on the last question because your Sophie needs to try different behaviors, like praising other kids for what they can do, if she ever hopes to make friends.

The Family Meeting ~ Teaching Kids to Celebrate Each Others’ Events

2009-11-10T06:00:00-08:00

Do your kids whine about going to school talent shows when their sibling is the star? How can you get your children to support each other? Look inside to see the power of the family meeting.

There are only two lasting bequests we an hope to give our children. One of these is roots: the other, wings. - Hodding Carter

Each child in your family has special gifts. Ask your members to describe the gifts they see in their brothers and sisters.

Let’s pretend your daughter, Amanda, is going to play a solo in the school musical. Use the family meeting to discuss how each member can support her.

The Family Meeting ~

Discuss the following questions:

· “What is the meaning of family love?”

· “How can we support Amanda to show that love?”

· “Why should we attend each others’ ‘special’ events?”

· “If it was your event, how would you want the family to support you?”

· “After the event what kind of celebration should there be for the Amanda?” Let the Amanda pick the celebration she wants.

Imagine how loved your Amanda would feel. Her solid roots within the family would give her the wings to perform. Your family has the power to

give her those roots by celebrating her success.

Additional Help:

Create a loving close-knit family! Let my Family Meeting Book

be your guide. Pick up my Family Meeting Diary at

http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006