In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to overlook the truly important stuff, but defining good family values lays the foundation for happy, well-rounded, confident kids.
Day 1/Day 2/Day 3/Day 4/Day 5/Day 6/Day 7/Day 8/Day 9/Day 10/Day 11/Day 12/Day 13/ Day 14
Family Values Challenge Day 1: Write It Down
Thanks for joining our Family Values Challenge! Today we're determining which values are most important to us.
Take a minute to write about the kind of people you want your kids to be, and what kind of values you want them to grow up with.
Write your thoughts in the replies below.
Family Values Challenge Day 2: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect for yourself, for family members, and for all people, animals, and nature, etc. is something we all want our kids to understand and practice. The best way to teach this is to lead by example.
Today's activity is: Remember The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and try to live by it all day.
It's one activity that you may want to extend beyond today! Kids learn by example, so speak to them and others how you’d want to be spoken to, and treat them and others how you'd want to be treated in return (even if the other person is not quite following the same rule!) -- it may not always be easy, but you will find you're happier for it and your kids will be too!
How do you teach and encourage your kids to respect themselves and others? Is there something your child did recently that made you especially proud of their respectful behavior? Please share!
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 3: Be Honest
It's a phrase we're all familiar with: “Honesty is the best policy” -- and it’s true.
Today's activity is to remind yourself to be honest, ALWAYS, and regularly remind your kids to always tell the truth, too -- if you're not already. Be sure to praise them for being honest and let them see that you follow your own rules by always being honest, yourself. If you know your child is lying to you, ask them nicely to tell you the truth. There can be consequences for lying, but tell them how proud of them you are for being honest.
When's the last time you caught your kid(s) lying? How did you handle it? What are your tactics for teaching your kids about honesty?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 4: Encourage Individuality
Today's Family Values Challenge activity is: Let your kids be exactly who they are – and enjoy witnessing it!
You may already be doing this, but if you're not, remind yourself that it's totally okay to just let them be their own, quirky selves! If they want to wear blue and only blue, or dance instead of play soccer, or read instead of socialize, don’t worry about it, go with it! Your kids will not only turn out fine, they’ll be more confident and comfortable in their own skin. Besides, it won’t be long before they’re just trying to fit in in High School! (And if you’re already at that point and you have a kid who’s confident enough to stand out from the crowd, give yourself a pat on the back!)
What are some of the things your kids do that truly make them individuals?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 5: Show Your Support
Your family should be your support system, the people you count on when everything is going wrong -- and the ones you want to celebrate with when things are going right. Today's activity is to remember to show your support -- and encourage your family members to do the same!
Bring your son to your daughter's dance recital; bring your daughter to your son's concert; bring them both to cheer your husband on when he runs a race; invite your family to your art show - whatever it is your family members are doing, support them. They will appreciate it and remember you were there, whether they won or lost. More importantly, they'll take it with them and do the same for their own families someday.
What kinds of things does your family turn out for?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 6: Mind Your Manners
Good manners never go out of style, and it's never too early to start teaching them. So today's activity is: Mind Your Manners!
Make a point to always say please and thank you, excuse me, offer a hand when it's needed, etc. even when it's just you and the kids at the family dinner table. Start doing this every day (if you're not already!), and you'll notice your kids will follow suit!
What are the manners that are most important to you? When and how did you start teaching them to your kids?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 7: Keep Traditions -- and Start New Ones!
Whether it's holiday traditions, nightly family dinners, weekly game nights, etc., these are the things your kids will remember -- and hopefully do with their own families one day. Today's activity is to have a family dinner -- and then continue to eat together as often as you can!
Spending time with your kids and doing things -- even little things -- as a family are the things that make your kids feel secure, included, and important -- and the things they look forward to and find comfort in. So why not start a new tradition today?
What are your favorite family traditions? Do you try to eat as a family whenever you can?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 8: Teaching Responsibility
Responsibility will surely be a recurring theme in your kids’ lives, so it’s a value that’s worth teaching early! Today's activity is to think about giving your kids some simple chores, if you haven't already.
Things like putting away their laundry, feeding the family dog, taking out the trash, helping to bring in the groceries, etc. Encourage them to start working when they’re old enough and always remind them that in order to earn a good living, they’ll have to be responsible and work really hard. Money doesn’t grow on trees, right?!
What kinds of things do your kids help out with around the house? How do you talk to your kids about responsibilities?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 9: Teaching Generosity
Today's Family Values activity is to set an example of generosity -- and continue with it as your kids grow!
The best way to teach your children to be generous is to be generous yourself. That doesn't mean you have to give extravagant gifts or donate all your savings to the homeless. It can mean getting your kids to help you go through their clothes, bag up the things that don't fit them anymore, and then drop them off at the local Goodwill. You can give them change to put in the collection basket at Church (or better yet, allow them to take the change from their own change jar or piggy bank), or volunteer with them at a local soup kitchen or school drive. You can be generous with your time, your money, or your skills -- whatever you have to offer. Your kids will see your example and learn to give of themsevles -- and enjoy it! -- as well.
How do you teach your kids about generosity?
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
Family Values Challenge Day 10: Bolster Their Self-Esteem
You influence the way your kids think and feel about themselves and their abilities more than you may realize. So, today's activity is to bolster your kids' self-esteem -- and remember to do it all the time!
But how? If they tried their best, but didn't win, tell them you're proud they gave it their all. Give them lots of hugs and kisses and tell them how much you care often. Acknowledge their feelings and praise their good decisions. Allow them to explore and figure out what they're good at -- and encourage them to do so! If they're down on themselves or beating themselves up over something, turn their negative views into positive ones, offer ways to help them with their problem, and remind them of all the reasons they're great and unique!
How do you bolster your kids' self-esteem? Please share your tips for raising kids who feel good about themselves!
If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here.
---CM-LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER:---
- JCTVCBN
on Jan. 30, 2012 at 9:26 AM