Build Character Now! Practical Tools for Busy Parents

"To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." -Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President

Teddy Roosevelt hit the mark with his words. To educate a child in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and not about living is to raise a menace to society.

How do we as parents, teachers, and mentors help children build character? Below you will notice the five character-building goals to instill in your children. Using questions as practical tools is an easy and excellent way to promote those goals and build character too.

Imagine that a boy named Harold recently moved into your neighborhood. He constantly causes trouble. The school principal just sent him home with a note addressed to his parents about his acting out in class. You and your child discuss Harold's problems. You center your discussion on the five key goals listed below. To instill each goal, ask your child the following practical questions:

Goal 1:

Empathy-Being aware of and caring about others' feelings.

Question: If you were Harold, how would you feel?

Goal 2:

Role Taking-Putting oneself into another's shoes and understanding where they are coming from.

Question:
What do you think Harold wanted by acting out in class?

Goal 3:

Social Awareness-Being aware of other's opinions, their needs, their likes, and dislikes.

Question:
If you were a classmate of Harold's, what might you think of Harold?

Goal 4:

Self-Reflection-Examining our own thoughts,feelings,and, behaviors.

Question: Have you ever misbehaved in class? How did you feel about yourself?

Goal 5:

Internalizing Good Advice-Taking to heart the advice your child gives to others and following it when he or she needs it.

Question:
If you were giving good advice to Harold, what would you tell him?

Congratulations! By asking the above questions, you have just strengthened your child's character because you have awakened your child's thoughtful mind and caring heart.

We've examined what goals to instill and what questions to ask. Let's learn where to build character by asking the above questions in the following situations:

Problem characters on TV

Problems on the school bus

Problems in the classroom

Problems in the neighborhood

Problems at home

Problems in discussion stories

Now, it's time to take action. If you're like most busy parents just remember the questions and ask them often. Get your children to think and to feel wisely. By using these tools now and you will be building character in your child and a better society for us all.

About the Author:
Jean Tracy, MSS
Edmonds, WA.

Learn powerful parenting concepts that you can use right now! Informative articles written by this seasoned therapist brings you the tips and tools you must use to raise your awesome kids with solid characters. Sign up for this FREE Parenting Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Character Builders, and download FREE bonding activities when you subscribe at: http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

You are welcome to reproduce this article when you include the above information about the author. Forward it to your friends too.

---

Consistent Boundaries Makes Discipline Easier

Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More

Are Public Schools Anti-Parent?

Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More

Invented Spelling --- Another Alice-in-Wonderland Public-School Theory

As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More

Stress is No Kiddy Matter

Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More

The Benefits of Music Education

Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More

Why Wont My Teens Clean Their Room?

Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More

The POWER of Your Words

Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More

Developing a Fantastic Relationship with Your Child

Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More

Intro to Medications for ADD ADHD

The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More

Teaching Your Child Safety

Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More

Homeschooling ? Is It Worth It?

Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More

Crazy Colors Fun Kid Experiment as a Party Activity

Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More

Who Are Your Kids Talking To Online?

Studies have shown that:1 out of 4 children were sent... Read More

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More

Im a Father, Doesnt Anyone Care?

The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More

Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared?

As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More

Nail Biting Basics

Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More

COMMITMENT: Teaching Children the Lessons of a Lifetime

It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More

MORAL ARMORS Irrational Parenting, Part III

Not Letting Them Think.We all implicitly know that anything questioning... Read More

Of Kings and Youth Leadership

(Isaiah 11:6 KJV) The wolf also shall dwell with the... Read More

Child Education

The initial state of happiness about an own child is... Read More

Advising Teens? Getting Your Point Across

Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More

Nothing Like a Mothers Love

Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 7 Tips for Back to School Success

Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More

Teaching Preschool Color and Shapes with Family Games

My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More

The Best and Worst of Motherhood

Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More

If at First They Dont Succeed - What a Great Opportunity!

When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More

Keeping the Stress out of Single Parenting

Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More

Its OK For Your Child To Be Bored - In Fact, Its Recommended!

NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More

How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?

I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More

Your Kids Career - Whose Choice?

A strange thing happened to me today. Or more precisely,... Read More

Raising a Violent-Free Teen in 10 Easy Steps

The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More

The Thing with Quality Time

It's funny how people seem to think that they have... Read More