Character Training

After blogging about challenging our children with high expectations in What Would You Do for 5 Dollars (Part One) and encouraging you to raise the bar for their daily behavior in Part Two,

I thought it would be helpful to share some information about character training.



The Duggars first introduced me to the idea of character training.  They have a wonderful book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting, that describes what they teach their children and the program they use.  If you have ever watched 19 And Counting, you will notice how well behaved their children are most of the time.  This is due to...tum tum tum ta!  Character training!

Basically, you are training your children to respond to situations and emotions in a way that honors God.  By using God's Word as the source of knowledge about how to live in a way that pleases God, it places the source of wisdom in its' proper place.

I remember attending a Character Counts conference as a high schooler half a lifetime ago.  I learned the proper behaviors and responses to certain situations, but I was never given a reason why I should follow these guidelines.  Basically, some people got together and made up Character Counts and we should do what they say because they are in charge.  Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed my time there and the lessons learned.  It was a great way to teach positive moral values in a secular setting...but it was just...hollow.

When a child learns that certain behaviors are expected of him, not only because his parents say so, but because GOD says so, that carries a lot more weight.

Don't you agree?

That also means that, as we teach our children character traits such as PATIENCE, we are also held to that standard.  We are to be held accountable just as much as they are.  Children are always watching and copying what they see their parents do - it's a humbling challenge to take on character training.

Reminds me of a teaching principle Jesus once used:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."  Matthew 7:3-5

Ouch.  We're not talking about wood shop here.  We're talking about judging others before we fix our own faults.  Check the mirror first.  See what God shows you.  Change it.  Grow in your faith.  Then you will be able to lead your children in the way they should go.

Here is an awesome blog about Character Training.  I couldn't say it any better than Erika does.  She also includes links to free character training curriculum.  You can't beat that!

I challenge you to check out this character training business and decide if it's right for your family!

Goodness knows, and God knows character training is right for my family.

Case in point.

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