Character and Values

We regularly talk about values and character in our house. I think it's important for kids to know what kind of person they want to be and strive to follow those values. Sometimes this is a wonderful thing, when I see what amazing children they are, but other times I see them struggling because they are good kids, and it breaks my heart. When they come running to me crying or crushed because they can't understand why someone would be mean to them, when they feel like the odd one out because I'm encouraging different behaviors than the other kids around them have, or when they feel like they need to do something against their values to try to fit in, it fills me with sadness and leaves me questioning myself what's important in our world. 

Our family values are: 

Joy

Respect

Consideration

Responsibility

Kindness

Integrity

Thankfulness

Compassion

Honesty

Determination

Our Value Cards have a value on the front with a picture that helps explain the value

And on the backside is a definition and ways we show that value

We also have corresponding cards that explain a little better how we can follow each value. 

So this morning, after reviewing each value, they put them in order of importance to them. 

It was interesting to see how each of them ordered the values. They both put Integrity at the top of their list, because they define integrity as being an overall good person, and having all of these values. Joy was near the top of Lily's list but almost at the bottom of Chase's list, because he thinks that "having all of these other values helps you have joy. And that if you were a mean person and didn't have these values, you wouldn't be a very joyful person". It was so interesting to see their interpretations of each value's importance. 

We made a chart to help keep track of when we see each other practicing a value. 

It's a group chart, so we are all working together to fill it, which should motivate the kids to point out when they see each other practicing a value. Once it is full, we will have a fun family night out. 

We will continue to use and explore these value cards throughout the year.