Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

Parenting Skills ~ How to Raise Your Son to Become a Child Star

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Parenting Skills

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

Would you like to raise a child star? Below you’ll find a parenting style that fits with stardom.

Today’s Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

·         In my last post, we discussed how to make your daughter a celebrity.

·         We also discussed the results of being too kind and not firm.

·         Today we’ll continue discussing how a parenting style for training your son to become a “star.”

Parenting Tips ~ How to Raise a Star:

Most parents have difficulty being consistent. Yet next to love, being consistent is crucial for raising a child with character. If raising a star is important to you, here are some great tips:

·         Make a rule.

·         Let your child break it.

·         Avoid disciplining.

·         Give in and say, “That’s OK.”

Believe it or not, many people parent like this. They avoid the struggle it sometimes takes to be the parent. Do they have a problem? Are they too kind and not firm? If so, this parenting style has results.

When You Are Too Kind and Not Firm, Your Child Will:

·         Disobey your rules.

·         Do as he pleases.

·         Tell you what to do.

·         Disrespect you, teachers, and authority figures.

·         Become self-centered.

It really isn’t hard to raise a star. Don’t be surprised, though, if you’re the only person who adores him. He’ll probably end up being angry, demanding, and unlikable. If you are an inconsistent parent, you stomp on your own authority. You say, “What I just told you to do doesn’t really matter. I won’t insist that you do what I ask. My parenting doesn’t count.” If this is you, don’t be surprised if:

·         Teachers, coaches, and other parents find him difficult and unpleasant.

·         Kids won’t tolerate his bossiness.

·         Friends drop him.

·         He chooses to become a troublemaker.

·         Society punishes him for you.

Being consistent isn’t easy. Yet raising a star is painful for you and for him. If being too kind and not firm is your parenting style, consider switching to kind and firm. Be the parent. Follow through with your rules. Don’t give society your job. Be tough when you need to. You’ll be helping him become a happy, well-adjusted and a person of character.

What do you think? Do you know any parents who treat their son like a star? If so, what results do you see?

In our next blog let’s discuss, too kind and not firm with a quote from former President Truman.

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com   where you’ll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

If you’d like to sharpen your parenting skills, check out our Parenting Skills Kit  with its Kind and Firm “Discipline Stick”. Now is a great time to build character.

Parenting Tips ~ Do You Want Your Daughter to Become a Celebrity?

 

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

What do Paris Hilton and Britany Spears have in common? They're celebrities. If you'd like your daughter to become a celebrity too, you'll need to start when she's young. You'll find some parenting tips in this blog.

Today's Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

• In my last post, we discussed 5 times and places to build character in your kids.
• We also included the PLAN from April 23^rd's blog post.
• Today we'll discuss how being too tender and not tough trains your child to become a celebrity.

Although we don't know the upbringing of the above celebrities, we can make our own suggestions on how you can create your own celebrity.

Parenting Tips ~ How to Raise a Celebrity:

• Give your daughter anything she wants.
• Give her it to her immediately especially if she screams, pouts, or hits.
• Make her every wish your command.
• Don't expect anything from her.
• Do her chores for her too.

Believe it or not, many people parent like the above. They keep trying to make their kids happy. Do such parents have a problem? Could they be too tender and not tough? This parenting style has results.

When You're Too Tender and Not Tough, Your Child Celebrity Will:

• Scream, pout, and hit frequently.
• Do only what she wants.
• Disrespect you.
• Expect you to be her servant.
• Expect everyone else to serve her too.

When your celebrity expects others to cater to her, she'll anger them.

When your celebrity continues to throw temper tantrums at age 22, she'll be disrespected.

When your celebrity acts superior to others, she'll lose friends and make enemies.

It really isn't hard to raise a celebrity. Don't be surprised, though, if you're the only person who worships her. She'll probably end up being lonely, unhappy, and angry.

On the other hand, if you require your child to do chores, earn toys, and treat you and others with respect, you'll be on the road to kindness and firmness. This road isn't easy but raising a celebrity is even more difficult and full of personal pain. Why not be tough and tender to help your daughter become a happy, well-adjusted person of character?

What do you think? Do you know any parent who treats their child like a celebrity? If so, what results do you see?

In our next blog let's discuss, "Do You Want Your Son to Become a Star?"

 

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com where you'll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

 

If you'd like to sharpen your parenting skills, check out our Parenting Skills Kit with its Kind and Firm "Discipline Stick". Now is a great time to build character.

Parenting Skills – 5 Super Places for Discussing Family Values with Kids

 

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

Are you a busy parent? Do the laundry, grocery shopping, and fixing meals take the time you'd like to spend with your kids? Below you will find five places to discuss family values and build character too.

Parenting Agenda ~ Today's Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

• In my last post, we examined some ways for you to model character for your kids.
• We also discussed why it is important to know who's influencing your children and what to do about that influence.
• Today we'll discuss 5 easy places to shares your values.

Senator Bob Dole once said, "If you're hanging around with nothing to do and the zoo is closed, come over to the Senate. You'll get the same kind of feeling and you won't have to pay."

Busy parents, like you, rarely have time for the zoo or the Senate, right? Sometimes it's hard to find any time for those heart to heart talks with your kids. That means choosing ordinary times and ordinary places you might not be considering for your discussions. Below are some tips on when and where to discuss your family values:

Parenting Tips ~ 5 Times and Places to Discuss Your Family Values:

1. At the dinner table or in a restaurant
2. During family meetings
3. Before bedtime
4. During car rides
5. After Sunday breakfast

Assuming you've checked out your child's music, video games, and TV programs mentioned in our last post, consider discussing such topics during the above 5 times and places.

Here's another tip. Consider using the 4 secret strategies from our April 23^rd post. In a nutshell it advises:

• Probe gently.
• Listen carefully.
• Appreciate honestly.
• No criticism!

The first letter in each strategy creates the word PLAN. Hopefully, this little memory trick will help you remember each strategy. You can use this PLAN to create effective discussions.

There you have it, five easy times and places to discuss family values with your kids.

What do you think? Do you have special times and places for discussing your family values? If so, I'd like to know.

In our next blog let's discuss, "Do you Really Want Your Child to be a Celebrity?"

 

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com where you'll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

 

If you'd like to find discussion topics for promoting family values, treat your family to our Dilemma Discussion Kit with its 51 dilemmas. Now is a great time to build character.

 

Character Building Models ~ ‘Gangsta’ Rappers or You?

 

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

Parenting Skills ~ "Sometimes You Have to Make the Better Judgment."

My friend, Michelle Sutter, a middle school teacher, tells parents, "Sometimes you have to make the better judgment."

Parenting Agenda ~ Today's' Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

• In my last post, we examined 50 Cent's website.
• We also examined the importance of discussing messages from 'gangsta' rappers with your kids.
• Today, we'll promote your values.

Parenting Skills ~ Who Will You Allow to Influence Your Kids?

Whether you're a busy parent, a single parent, or a part-time parent, it isn't easy knowing who your child's listening to. Yet it must be done. I know a mom whose son is grown, still at home, and has a gun. She told me told me, "I wish I'd never let those violent video games in the house."

• Parenting Advice ~ You Can Make the Better Judgment by Knowing:
• The music your child likes. Is it troublesome? Would you play it in your home for your friends? Google it on the web and listen to it. Then you'll know.
• The video games your child plays. Are they violent? Do you care if they control your child's mind? One way to know is to play games and find out.
• The movies your child wants to watch. Are they of value? Would you care if they to influenced your child's actions? One way to know is to watch them together and discuss them.

Parenting Tips ~ Let Your Values Shine:

Remember that saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." Don't buy it. Letting your values shine means influencing your child by:

• Doing what you want your child to see, hear, and do.
• Modeling tolerance, empathy, and respect for others.
• Teaching social problem solving.
• Emphasizing reason and self-discipline.
• Being kind and firm.

What Do You Think?

How difficult is it for you to know who is influencing your child? Is it hard for you to, 'make the better judgment?'

In my next post, we'll discuss 5 super places busy parents like you can discuss values with your kids.

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com where you'll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

 

If you're wondering where to find moral dilemmas for your family discussions, treat your family to our Dilemma Discussion Kit with its 51 dilemmas. The time to build character is when they're young.

Is Your Child’s Character Worth More Than 50 Cents?

 

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

 

Character Building – Have you seen 50 Cent's website? This hardcore rapper knows how to influence character.

Parenting Skills - Today's Agenda for Building Character in Kids:

• In my last post, we examined the "No Snitchin" Rule popularized by hardcore rappers.
• We also considered how moral dilemma discussions help parents help kids think.
• Today we'll checkout the message from a different rapper by examining his website.

Character Building or Character Assignations – What do you think?

Recently I visited 50 Cent's website and found the following:

• The black background was plastered with the red word, "massacre."
• A gunman is pointing a smoking gun at you, the viewer.
• The newspaper headline behind the gunman says, "Certified Death."
• A gun clicks as you point to each navigation tab.
• On the right side of the screen is another large shiny gun with silver bullets.
• A front and back drawing of a nude man is in the gun's background.

Parenting Skills – What Can You Do?

Is your innocent child between the ages of 5 and 12? How long do you have to influence your child' character before the outside forces take over? Do you want 50 Cent on your child's computer screen, CD's, or in your child's ear? Did you know 50 Cent has the power to influence character in kids? The pictures, the clicking gun, and the title of his latest release that asks kids:

"At the end of the day, what will you hang on to? Get Rich or Die Tryin?" send powerful messages to your children.

Parents, your kids listen to you now. Take time with your preteens to examine the messages from these "gangsta" rappers. Ask your kids what they think of the messages. Ask them what could happen if the kids in your neighborhood, schools, and families swallowed these messages hook, line, and sinker. Help them see the consequences. Help them think with character. Use moral dilemma discussions to teach them to think right about wrong. If you do, your kids might conclude, '50 Cent isn't worth a dime.'

What do you think?

Are you OK with the hardcore rappers and what they tell your kids? Why or why not? I'd like to know what you think.

My next post will discuss how you can be your children's model for character.

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com where you'll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

 

If you're wondering where to find moral dilemmas for your family discussions, treat your family to our Dilemma Discussion Kit with its 51 dilemmas. The time to build character is now.

 

Character Building – How the No-Snitchin Rappers Steal Character from Kids

 

Parenting Tips by Jean Tracy, MSS, for grades K-6:

Parenting – Do you know about the "No-Snitchin" rule from rappers?

Do you worry your children will swallow the rapper messages without thinking? Would you like to keep their music and words out of your kids' heads? If so, you have something in common with the immigration minister in Australia.

Parenting Skills – Today's agenda for Building Character:

• In my last post, we looked at a specific moral dilemma.
• We used that dilemma to practice the 5 practical questions for building character in kids.
• Today we'll look at the "No-Snitchin" rule from rappers.
• We'll learn Australia's approach to Snoop Dog.
• We'll also consider the role of moral dilemma discussions.

Character Test – How Snoop Dogg Flunked Australia's Test of Character:

Recently, I read this news on hiphopgame.com:

"Snoop Dogg has been refused entry into Australia because of his extensive criminal record, the immigration minister said Thursday, the second time this year the rapper has been barred from entering another country…

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said Snoop Dogg's visa was canceled because he had failed to pass the country's strict character test, which takes criminal convictions into account.

"He doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country," Andrews told Sydney's Macquarie Radio."

Snoop Dogg, and other rappers like him, don't seem the sort of blokes we need in this country either.

Parenting – The "No Snitchin" Rule:

Anderson Cooper of CNN dedicated a whole hour to the "No Snitchen" rule and its effect on kids. Basically, it tells kids to mind their own business if they see criminal acts carried out in their neighborhoods. This means that criminals can steal, assault, sell drugs, and even kill without getting caught. When kids are told, "No Snitchin," it means don't help the police either. Is this a prescription for chaos or what?

Parenting Advice – The Importance of Moral Dilemmas:

Parents, character begins in the minds and hearts of our children. Teaching our kids to think for themselves and feel for others is the essence of character. That's why I promote moral dilemmas. They help kids think, care about others, and solve problems too.

Don't let the rappers steal character from your kids. As parents of young children, you can use your influence now to build their characters.

What do you think? Are you OK with the rapper messages to our kids? Why or why not? I'd like to know your thoughts.

My next post will discuss Fifty Cents' website.

If you liked these parenting tips, pick up our FREE Parenting Tips - 21 of the Best at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com where you'll find them at the top of the page.

Subscribe to our FREE Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

 

If you're wondering where to find moral dilemmas for your family discussions, treat your family to our Dilemma Discussion Kit with its 51 dilemmas. The time to build character is now.