Mother and Daughter Discussing Character

Judging character is easy to teach. Coach your child to see how a person acts and hear what she says. Is the other kind, honest, and respectful? Or is she rude, unkind, and dishonest?

Training Your Child to Look for the Good 

Good Character is about being honest and having strong moral values. You can trust an honest person. But a dishonest person signals the red alert, "He lies. I can't trust him." The following questions open your child's eyes to finding good character in others.

Parenting Tip List - How to Ask about Character: 

Consider using these discussions around the kitchen table, in the car, or at bedtime.

1. Reject fault-finding in classmates.

• How can the habit of finding fault in others hurt you?
• How could fault-finding lead to gossip?
• What do you think about gossiping?

 

How Could Gossip Hurt Him?

2. Explore the Qualities of Character:

• How would you describe someone with a weak character?
• What are signs of a good character?
• How would you recognize the good character in others?

   3. Help Your Child Make Friends with Kids of Good Character:

• How can you be friendly?
• How can you have fun?
• How can you be appreciative?

3. Practice Praising a Classmate's Good Character:

 

Girl Enjoying a Compliment

• Pick a classmate to praise.
• What would you say? Let’s practice. 
• Share it with your classmate and tell me what happened.
• Who will you praise next?

Help your child listen to a classmate's words and see how she acts. He'll be assessing the 'content of her character.' It can influence him about who to avoid and who to choose as a friend. 

Guide your child to 'look for the good' in others. He will find it because you opened his eyes to see and his ears to hear.

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WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER

Gossip and Looking for the Worst in Others

Meet Alexa and Tony. Both are gossipy 10 year-olds. They like bad-mouthing the kids in their 5^th grade. It helps them feel superior. 

 

"He thinks he's so cool." 

Alexa: Did you see Noah's glasses?

Tony: "So ugly!"

Alexa: “I agree.”

Tony: "Nobody likes him."

Alexa: "He thinks he so cool."

Tony: “Yah. He has the biggest house in town.”

Alexa: “They have 2 Teslas in their garage.”

Tony: "He’s so spoiled. He gets everything he wants."

Alexa: "Right! I hate hearing him brag about his video games."

Because Noah had more toys, the biggest house, and expensive cars, they felt envious. They told themselves, “I’m not spoiled like Noah. I’m better than him.” 

If looking for the worst in others become a habit, Alexa and Tony could become gossipy adults.

 Praise and Looking for the Best in Others

 

Calvin Complimenting Noah

Meet Calvin. He’s in the same 5^th grade as Alexa and Tony.

His easy laughter and friendly smiles draw kids to him. 

Noah asked Calvin to his birthday party. Noah didn’t invite Alexa and Tony. Calvin noticed that mostly adults and few classmates attended. 

“I like how you made your invitations, Noah, especially with your cat pawing the cake. Would you help me draw like you?" 

Later, Calvin asked if they could play video games.

When they finished, Calvin told Noah, “You're good at making those car racing decisions.” Everybody agreed. Noah felt like he was starting to fit in. He smiled at Calvin for helping him.

Calvin looks for the good and finds it. He shared it with Noah too.

Other students sense Calvin's positivity and want to be his friend.

If Calvin makes "looking for the good" a habit, he could become an effective leader today and in the future.

What Do You Think?

How did Alexa's and Tony’s mindsets differ from Calvin’s?

Who, in your judgment, had the better attitude?

If you chose Calvin’s attitude, check out the following Slide Share.

Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream - How Kids Pay It Forward

In this slide share you’ll find 3 ways to seek and share the good in others. And 3 ways to seek the good outside the family. My Family Compliment Weekend, a special technique, is waiting inside for you.

Watch Now!

Dr. King's Dream - How Kids Pay It Forward

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"There's Something about Love that Builds Up and Is Creative."

Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted his four little children (and all people) judged by the "content of their character," not "the color of their skin." Dr. King believed in love not hate. Find out how character, judgment and love fit together in a way Dr. King might approve.

Effective parents teach children to judge. Not by skin color but by searching for the good.

Today, I’ll share how this love works through the story of Gabby, a family activity, and an activity that increases others’ self-esteem. It creates friendships too.

Practice it in your home. I guarantee it will boost your family’s love. Then watch it spread outward from your family to others.

 

Dad, I like how you take the time to play UNO with me.

How Kids Judge Others by the "Content of Their Character"

Dr. King was right. "There is something about love that builds up and is creative." 

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Don't Let Your Bashful Child Be Lonely!

Timid kids feel pain. Parents watch and suffer. Loneliness wins.

Imagine your child sitting alone in the lunchroom thinking,

“No one will sit with me. Nobody likes me.”

What does she feel? Does she rush to the bathroom and hide until classes start again?

Bashful kids don’t have to be friendless. You can help. There is a 3-part blueprint that works.

Go slow. Keep the steps small. Why? Because shy kids are overwhelmed by fearful thoughts and feelings. Big leaps don’t work.

3 Don’ts for Overcoming Shyness

1. Don’t speak up for your children because they’ll lose the chance to speak up for themselves.
2. Don’t make excuses for your children because they’ll rely on those excuses and not try.
3. Don’t put your children down for being shy because your comments will add to their misery.

3 Do’s for Helping Shy Kids Make Friends

1. Do ask if they’d like to make friends because you want to know if they’ll cooperate.
2. Do ask, “What stops you from making friends?" because the answer is important and will help you guide them with the blueprint.
3. Do tell them that making friends is a skill they can learn because it will give them the hope they need.

 

A Few Friends Can Make a Big Difference.

Shy kids need your patience because impatience shuts them down. Remember, even tiny steps require taking risks. Your children may never become an outgoing extrovert or big talker. But, with your help, they can overcome loneliness and satisfy their need for a few close friends.   

Pick up the Blueprint by inserting the code, SPEAK UP at:

KidsDiscuss.com

Or

https://www.KidsDiscuss.com

You may also like my kindle book for kids with stories and 75 real tips for creating friendships at: Amazon.com

 

Friendships Bring Happiness to Kids

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Your Child Can Stop Bullying!

IF YOU’RE THE PARENT OF A CHILD BULLY OR A BULLY-FOLLOWER AND YOU WANT TO BE SURE, open today’s parenting gift. It includes 10 bullying signs.

Yes, bullying has been around since people existed. Today it is not just calling someone a name. Child bullying includes using power to control another with insults, rumors, hitting, shoving, spitting, and tripping. Bullies reject their targets and ban them from their peer groups. Their intention is to hurt the other.

5 Steps to Changing Child Bullying Behavior:

1.  Acknowledge the truth. If you decide, “Yes, my child is a bully,” you are brave to admit it.

2. Increase your bravery by asking yourself, “Is anyone in my family modeling this behavior?”

3. Ask that member to stop the negative behavior. Remind that person your child is watching.

4. Discuss together better ways to model good behaviors that express your family values.

5. Use today’s bully checklist and chat about it's 10 points with your child.

 

Find Out What Your Child Really Thinks

  5 Bully Discussion Tips with Today’s Checklist:

1. Model respectful behavior.

 2. Ask, don’t accuse.

3. Find out what he thinks about bullying.

4. Help him see that helping is better than hurting others.

5. Work together on an anti-bullying slogan for his self-talk. Hang back so most of the slogan is from him. Why?      Because if it’s from him, he’ll be more likely to use it.

Download your parenting gift by inserting code word, BULLYING here:

Bully Checklist 

Even if you don't need it now, consider putting it in your parenting binder. You might need it in the future. Then nip bullying in the bud.

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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"My Powerful Mind Is Thoughtful and

Kind."

WHY DO SOME KIDS BULLY OTHERS? Research says that bullying can give kids a sense of power and prestige. The bully wants to have others think he's important. When he hurts kids, he feels dominant and strong. It's hard for bullies to give up such feelings.

Some bullies come from abusive homes and treat others like they have been treated. 

Research also says that bullies pick on weak fearful kids. Children who are socially awkward, lack self-control, hyperactive, and don't fit in, become easy targets.

How Parents Can Help 

In today's article, How Parents Turn Bullies into Caring Kids, you can help both the bully and the bullied child. You will find:

•  7 signs your child could be a bully-follower
• 3 questions smart kids should ask about bullies
• 10 parent and child discussions about bullying
• 10 anti-bullying slogans for your child's self-talk 

 

When I See a Victim, I'll Go and

Assist Him.

Why not raise thoughtful children who help the kids who are picked on? Being proud of your children is such a great feeling. You'll be building character too.

Click on: How Parents Turn Bullies into Caring Kids 

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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How Parents Help Kids Avoid Bullying

BULLIES BURN BRIDGES BY WHAT THEY SAY AND DO . They destroy connections like trust, friendship, and future relationships with their victims.

Bullying and Peer Pressure

By seeming powerful, bullies can influence other kids. Some children are afraid to say, “No” to the bully. Others follow because they want to "fit in."

Victims never forget how the bully made them feel nor do they forget who followed the bully’s pressure against them.  Being hurt physically, verbally, and/or emotionally, creates painful memories in the mind of the victim. They always remember. Some take revenge.

How Parents Can Help

Whether you suspect you are raising a bully or a bullied child, you CAN guide your child with good discussions.

Many children lack the experience to be wise about causing painful feelings and the importance of caring about others. You can raise their consciousness.

In today’s video, you will find 10 strategic questions to get your child to think more deeply about bullying, to consider the victim’s feelings, and to build the bridge of empathy.

As a bonus, you’ll also find 5 self-talk mottos to help your child choose caring and empathy over bullying.

Feel free to copy the transcript below the video with both the questions and mottos.

Family Discussions:

Use one question from the video per dinner discussion to find out what your child really thinks about bullying. Hold back from jumping in with your opinions. Listen well. Be sure you understand your child's thoughts before you speak.

Enjoy helping your children think wisely about the problems and pain that bullies cause because you CAN inspire them to choose caring instead.

Watch

 

Enjoy Helping Your Child Think

Clearly about Bullying

Bullying – How Parents Help Kids Choose Kindness 

or

https://youtu.be/BnULkHcVE2M

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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If you're finding child-rearing difficult and you're worried about doing a good job, stop worrying. Consider promoting the 7 major ideas in this article with their practical parenting strategies. They're simple and require very little work or effort.

In this parenting article, you will find:

1. How to raise members to respect each other – 7 parenting tips.
2. How to teach your child social skills – 6 parenting solutions.
3. How to promote a love for learning – 5 parenting strategies.
4. How to nurture health and fitness – 6 helpful ideas.
5. How to instill gratitude in kids – 6 specific ways.
6. How to foster spirituality in children – 10 simple enriching approaches.
7. How to encourage no-cost giving 5 sample discussions.

 

Love Is the Key to a Happy Home.

The basic ingredient is love, and it is love that propels parents to do their best. The seven parenting values in this article, respect, social skills, love of learning, health and fitness, gratitude, spirituality, and non-material gift-giving can help parents raise the family of their dreams and build character too.

Give them a try and please share this article with your friends on social media.

Click here: How Parents Teach Kids 7 Positive Attitudes

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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• 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids
• 101 Ways to Get Your Children to Cooperate

 

Family Love Helps Kids Grow

LOVE IS THE ANSWER FOR CREATING A HAPPY HOME and respect is its key. Today we'll offer you a brief YouTube Video sharing the 7 best mindsets to instill in your children. It will tell you why they're the best with special pictures to match.

If you're a little disappointed in your children's attitudes and don't know what to focus on to turn them around, this video can help. 

If you feel you are doing a good job and want to be sure, view this video. Pat yourself on the back for every healthy attitude you are boosting in your children.

If you don't have children yet but plan to, checkout this video and decide what you want to teach your children.

Finally, if you disagree with the ideas in this video or would like to add your own to the list, let me know by commenting below. I will reply to you.

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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Does Your Child

Look on the Bright Side?

 

PARENTING HAPPY CHILDREN IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK. Today we've created a new 4-minute YouTube Video with 5 powerful ways to teach your child positive thinking.  They include these simple fun activities. Share them with your children:

1. The Morning Forecast
2. The Gratitude Review 
3. The Family Compliments
4. The Smile Experiment
5. The Bright Side Discussion

Why Is Raising a Positive Thinker Better than Raising a Negative Thinker?

1. Positive children attract friendships. Negative kids repel them.
2. Kids who are positive feel happier.
3. Children with happy mindsets tend to look for positive solutions.
4. Unhappy kids tend to pout and hold onto resentments.
5. Positive kids encourage others.

I bet you can think of even more reasons to raise children with cheerful attitudes.

Now is a great time to introduce these parent/child activities. If you do, your child might make new friends and enjoy this school year more than ever.

Watch this video. Copy the transcript below it. Start using these parenting strategies today.

How Parents Raise Positive Kids – 5 Top Parenting Tips

 

You CAN Raise a Positive Child!

For more parenting tips and tools, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube Channel .

Please let me know if this was helpful by commenting below:

Thank you so much.

With warm wishes, 

Jean Tracy, MSS

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