Character
What! Adversity is good?
Submitted by Nicholeen on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 01:42
We live in very difficult times. Many people worry about what is on the horizon, and what future adversities will come.
No need to worry. Adversity shouldn't be feared. It should be accepted and embraced.
How Do You Get Them To Work?
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 08/10/2010 - 02:02
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...yes but how do you get them to work? My oldest (5yrs) always has to get get a drink or suddenly is tired or has a tummy ache when ever she hears the word “work” or “clean up.” It’s too “boring” she says.
I am not about to make work “fun” for her because it isn’t always fun thought the rewards of work are.
But how do you teach that to a 5 year old?
Too Much Play Time?-Solving the Boredom Problem
Submitted by Nicholeen on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 18:41
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My two youngest children are best friends, and play a lot with each other. It is so fun to see them enjoy each other. This summer we have noticed that they are getting a bit too much play lately though. The sun comes up and someone is at our door asking to play. The children do their chores and run outside. They would stay there day after day, all day, if I didn't ever call them in.
The other day my husband and I noticed some very distracted behaviors. My six year old was showing off a lot and acting a lot more "crazy" than usual. He was also trying to be the "funny guy" by popping off. We looked at each other and both knew something needed to change
Teaching Honesty: What About Gray Area?
Submitted by Nicholeen on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 01:47
"Just wondering what you do when a child denies doing something like this even though you know it was them or else they try to deceive you about it even though they know that no punishment will be given out for their mistake or wrongdoing if they are honest about it. How do you confront them and have them face up to their failures and take responsibility for their actions? My ds10 will get defensive whenever he does something wrong or makes a mistake he then will usually compound this by trying to lie or deceive his way out of it to save face. We end up punishing him for the lying and deceit when really it should have be a non issue if he had just been honest.""Any suggestions?"
There are three steps to handling this situation.
Step one; Make sure you are not accusing, but that you look and feel safe to talk to.
Step two: Pre-teach the situation before you say anything............."Right now _________ just happened. I am going to ask you about your actions. If you choose to be honest about your actions you will not earn any negative consequences. (or you could have a positive consequence in place for being honest) However, if you are not honest then you will choose to earn
"Master Your Mother Tongue": Building Character
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 06/15/2010 - 14:15
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In my presentation on Building Children with Character I talk about teaching our children refinement so they can become leaders in this world. Leaders with character. May father used to always say, "Master your mother tongue and you will make a marke upon the world that will be noticed." This advice changed my life. I am still not perfectly articulate, but it is always on my mind. My friend Penny shared this great video with me about our "Mother Tongue."
Calm In A Hurry? ~Parenting Help
Submitted by Nicholeen on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 01:28
The opposite of calm is hurry. If you feel like you have to hurry all the time, then you will never be calm. Also, if you feel like you have to hurry through your teaching interactions with your children then you will also have a harder time staying calm. Don't let your desire for being efficient ruin your ability to be calm. The great philosopher William Jordan said:
The first sermon in the world was preached at the Creation. It was a
Divine protest against Hurry. It was a Divine object lesson of perfect
law, perfect plan, perfect order, perfect method. Six days of work
carefully planned, scheduled and completed were followed by,--rest.
Families Working Together ~Mission Oriented Families
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:11
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On the first CD of my Teaching Self Government Audio Seminar I speak about teaching your family about having a mission as a family group. The mission is what you will do to reach your family's vision for the future. An important part of teaching your children about working toward a vision and living for a mission is teaching them about philanthropy, or service. Service is also an integral part of building strong character.
We all know giving our children service opportunities helps them become more selfless, which aids in family unity. However, serving as a family also gives your children practice in living a mission for a vision. This practice will help them find success in projects their entire lives. As a family, we are always looking for a way to serve others. In fact,
Consequences
Submitted by Nicholeen on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 23:25
My problem is that I never can think of appropriate consequences when my kids misbehave. Do you have any suggestions? I have five children ages 9-18. Thanks, Amy
Consequences can be difficult to think up, but the trick is to only do it one time. A parent who has to reinvent the consequence every time a lesson needs to be taught will come across as uncertain and flustered. Have a plan. Parents who have a plan are more secure to be around and will be more respected by their children.
My rules for consequences are these:
BBC's Hannah Teaches Parents a Great Lesson
Submitted by Nicholeen on Thu, 12/03/2009 - 23:30
My sister, Janelle, who was featured on the BBC World's Strictest Parents spoke with me recently about her one regret about the show. If you have seen the show, you will remember we took our British guests to a homeschool youth event. Janelle was in charge of creating an event which would push the youth, physically, and emotionally. It was a team race with many different challenges. During the event, the youth were required to get their whole team over a 6 foot high wire loaded with bells, have each person eat a jar of baby food beans, fill a tube with water that was loaded with holes, feed each other blind folded, and get their whole team completely off the ground for 30 seconds using a rope and three poles.
The youth were inspiring to watch. James had a hard time with the course because the challenges were very emotionally strenuous. The program showed some of this. Hannah was very different to watch though.
Getting Each Other in Trouble
Submitted by Nicholeen on Sun, 11/01/2009 - 23:59
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We have a problem with people getting into things in the house without asking. For example chocolate chips, cookies in the freezer and so on. We also have a problem with dishonesty.
The consequence for these (decided by the family) Dishonesty: 30 min.
