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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?"

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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.

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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.

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