A child of character demonstrates self-control in his actions and words. Easier said than done my friends! Developing self-control is as beneficial to the child as it is to those around them. Any parent, teacher, or bystander for that matter will tell you a child who demonstrates self-control is more apt to learn, keep friends, follow rules, and be welcomed in public. The path to self-control begins in early childhood, develops throughout one’s life, and is highly influenced by nature and … [Read more...]
5 Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Healthy Eating
According to research, food preferences are formed in early childhood and affect an individual’s eating habits for life. For LIFE? No pressure, right? And as we all know...kids do what they see. So strive to be a good role model! I know I know...it seems impossible to compete with the peer pressure and junk food commercials. But every little bit helps! Even small changes in your family's eating habits can make a big impact on your children's health. By encouraging awareness and sharing … [Read more...]
Activities That Teach Perseverance
"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." ~ Louisa May Alcott When teaching kids about perseverance - sticking to a challenging task - I think of the phrase "meet them where they are to take them where they need to be." If you see your child struggling to complete an activity, join them in the activity at their level (meet them where they are), engage them, work with them and encourage them to keep going. If necessary, provide them with suggestions or teach the skills … [Read more...]
How To Encourage Perseverance In Your Child
Families On The Home Front Series: How To Raise A Child Of Character Character Trait: Perseverance “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” - Babe Ruth There is nothing more rewarding as a parent than witnessing your child achieve their goals - no matter how big or small they might be. Whether it’s learning to walk or hitting their first home run, witnessing achievement gained by hard work are a parent’s proudest moments. Hard work and determination are the ingredients to … [Read more...]
Child of Character: Responsibility Chart
Track Your Child's Responsibility With A Responsibility Chart Visual tools that show children how they have been responsible is a great way to positively reinforce responsible actions and increases the likelihood the behavior will get repeated. (Discipline Tip #1: The more attention you give a behavior, the more you see that behavior.) You can find all kinds of examples online for tracking responsibilities or get creative yourself. Design a chart of your own or have your kids make their … [Read more...]
How To Encourage Responsibility In Your Child
Families On The Home Front Series: How To Raise A Child Of Character Character Trait: Responsibility Parents guide their children to independence by teaching responsibility. “To whom much is given much is expected” - Anonymous Summer is here, and my children are elated they have fewer responsibilities as students. I am elated because they have more time for household responsibilities!! The transition to summer this year coincides with my children's developmental transition to … [Read more...]
Bring Calm to Chaos
You’re a Family Manager, Not a Stay-At-Home Parent In 2011, I found my family at a transition point, again. We are a military family, so transitions are something we experience frequently. We had just moved for the sixth time in 12 years, our school-aged children were older and needed me less. I was optimistic about the amount of time I would have for myself. My husband had finished a grueling assignment, was home from a deployment, and we were living in a place filled with opportunities that … [Read more...]
How To Encourage Empathy In Your Child
How to encourage the feelings of empathy in your child. When my children were between the ages of 18 months and five years old, we spent a lot of time with other children their age as well as their parents. Frequently, I would observe parents forcing, teaching or encouraging their young children to share. Different approaches to helping children understand why and how to share met with different responses from each child. I started to break down the act of sharing into developmental … [Read more...]
How Tech-Savvy Kids Can Stay Connected After A Move
#KeepInTouch Moving or PCSing with kids is never easy. As parents, we tend to get caught up in the emotional side of moving. We watch how hard saying goodbye can be for our kids, no matter the age. Our kids crave their past friendships many months after a move and it’s important they stay connected. However, moving no longer means saying goodbye thanks to today’s technology and online games. Kids can now keep in touch with their friends online. It’s fun, creative and easier than … [Read more...]
Growing a Tree, Not the Shadow
An introduction to the new Child of Character Series on Families On The Home Front. “Reputation is the shadow, character is the tree.” - Abraham Lincoln As a parent, I frequently find myself looking into the future at all the things my kids could do to get into trouble, real trouble. I determine what character trait could be lacking that would lead them down the wrong decision-making path towards that trouble. Character is the backbone of decision-making, and it’s my job to teach and … [Read more...]