What qualities makes strength of character? Pt-1

Watch your thoughts
  Your thoughts become your words
Watch your words
  Your words become your actions
Watch your actions
  Your actions become your habits
Watch your habits
  Your habits become your character
Watch your character
  Your character becomes your destiny.

Quoted by Tom Lickona

Character.... is what we do when no one is looking...it is not what others think of us...its not what success we have,,,,Its not what we have done.... It is who we are.....Our children learn by watching the role models in their lives and so we need to make sure that the values we are using in our lives are the type we want our own kids to copy ...children learn more through quiet example than what we say...All of us have different morals and feel that character is made up of different qualities so I am listing what qualities I want my children to learn so that they can be better people

I want my child to have Courage so I need to show them how by making it a part of my life.....this means overcoming my fear and anxiety...learning to chose the right thing over what's easiest ...sticking to my convictions and not caving into peer pressure ... Its important that our kids learn they don't need to go with the flow....It takes courage to make a marriage work...to raise kids...to make friends....and we need our kids to see that in our everyday life
 
So I plan to teach my kids to
1) face their fears
2) surround themselves with others of like character (you are often known by the company you keep)

What goes in can take root.... Media plays a large part in determining what characteristics are noticed and subsequently accepted by my kids....I want to make sure my children are getting the right messages broadcast to them and i need to take the time to explain why some things are not acceptable

I want to make sure that I don't protect my kids too much by  making excuses for the way they act...They need to learn that there are rules for all that everyone must follow...They need to accept the consequences of their actions and understand that they cant do what they want....This is hopefully how they will then learn Discipline and Responsibility.....Discipline is learning to Delay gratification...Kids have to understand that when you attack the responsibilities of life you can enjoy the rewards that follow....we as parents sometimes make sacrifices to put our kids needs first...so show your kids that discipline will bring payoffs in the areas of life that you apply it to...My daughter knows that to learn how to dance she must practice and that can seem tedious but to get results you must put in ...My son knows to learn how to swim and then get the pool he wants he has to first go to lessons and listen and do the hard work......

I feel Endurance or Perseverance is also important in shaping my children's character...its often easier as adults to quit than push on...the old flight or fight mentality...Too often I have decided to fly in the past and it becomes a habit very easily....But when we quit the price we pay is often high and we are left with regrets...I wanted to study and yet i didnt go though with university when i completed school.... Now i regret that and have to put in a lot more work to get back to where i could have already been if i had fought on..... ... I want to show my children how to build endurance by pushing through the obstacles that come our way...I want them to count the cost before they give up the fight...and to understand quitting is never glamorous

I also want them to be able to use Tough and Tender Love where it is called for...I want them to learn to walk in another persons shoes... I want them to have compassion and empathy, sensitivity, and encouragement for others...I feel Its important for them to learn to treat others how they desire to be treated... I also want them to understand that truth telling is more important than keeping the peace.....That sometimes we are called to explain (not accuse) when we see there is a problem in our lives and the lives of those we love..... Its become too easy in this world to give up when the going gets tough...we fight for material things but we walk away when it involves the heart..... I want my kids to re-evaluate what is worth fighting for......

Please go to Article 2 for the next group of qualities........