Any lifestyle we wish our children to copy and embrace must be modeled and discussed.  I think character must also be a way of life, despite our own tendencies when we don't quite show the patience, diligence, and self-control that we should.

Character is in the way we raise our children.  Most of us, if we are honest, fail at being the right model for our children most days.  But really, those little failures do not matter.  We must keep trying.  We must ask for forgiveness.  We must teach our children because it does not happen by accident.  The teaching happens in every day life, as well as purposeful opportunities provided through books, movies, life examples, and a simple thing like a chore chart.

With summer's arrival, I thought it would be a great time to encourage my children to begin some basic chores around the house to teach responsibility.  I created two chore charts.  One is made of hearts; the other is of stars.  Both styles use the rainbow colors.

(These are just screen shots with a watermark on them...and funny lines on the sides.  Sorry!)

I chose just a few things I wanted my children to do daily.  Brushing teeth, making beds, tidying bedrooms, and cleaning floors were the basic chores I opted for.  However, I wanted to have a visual reminder that we are to be helpful (doing what is asked, like chores, without complaint), kind, and we are also to obey.
After getting the We Choose Virtues Clue Cards and Kids Virtue Poster to help us with character education (which we love, by the way!), I decided to model the positive language used by We Choose Virtues such as, I obey.  I brush my teeth.  I tidy my bedroom.  I am kind.

The positive language was the right choice.  It is empowering to the children and reinforces that they are capable of completing the tasks/behavior.  Of course, it also mirrors the virtue clue cards and poster they like so much, too.



I would love to hear how you teach responsibilities and especially virtues!  Please leave a comment!
~ Annette {This Simple Mom}