Character Notes

Character education is both intentional and reactive in our family. This desire for character is out of our desire for our children to be prepared both in childhood and in adulthood to handle the situations life brings them. As so often with parenting, we find the challenge to raise our own character to be constantly before us.

This means that regardless of what is going on in the family we have a plan to train our children in character - that is the intentional part. The reactive part is that when one of our children display a character weakness (aka - they do something wrong!) we step into reactive training where we see a particular trait that needs to be the focus for the particular child.

The notes that you find linked to this page are from my journal. In a sense they are my random thoughts on character education in our family.

• Some are written as lesson plans - things I intend to do with my children
• some are written as reflections - as I had a uh-haa moment
• some are written after a learning moment with my children.

My Character Notes

Availability - Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve

Courage - Not letting fear get in the way of doing the right thing.

Enthusiasm - Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort.

Flexibility - Willingness to change plans or ideas

Forgiveness - Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge.

Gratefulness - Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life.

Hospitality - Cheerfully sharing food, shelter and friendship with others

Love - Giving to others without expecting a reward

Obedience - Cheerfully carrying out the directions and wishes of those who are responsible for me.

Orderliness - Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve the greatest efficiency.

Self-Control - Rejecting my own desires and doing what is right.

Sincerity - Being as genuine on the inside as we appear to be on the outside.

Truthfulness - Communicating, with my life and words, all that is genuine and accurate.

Do you talk about character issues
in your home?

I’d love to hear of the conversations you’ve had and the applications you’ve made in your home. Here is a quick and simple way to share your stories. You can share about this specific character trait or any general lesson.

And if you've made a poster to help your children remember things - add that as a graphic for all to be encouraged.

Live Life with your Kids!