Years ago I was asked to write an article for a Homeschool Magazine on character. When I stopped to reflect on this, it occurred to me that when I was growing up, I'm not a dinosaur, but, I'm no spring chicken either......the word character really wasn't referenced unless the conversation was about Disney and the characters. I really began to think, when I went to school and another student was disruptive, they were sent to stand in the hall. If that didn't work, they were sent to the Principal's Office and if that didn't work, the parents were called into the school to discuss options for their child's behaviors.

Today, a school has on staff not only a teacher and principal, but, a social worker and a school psychologist, and all this in an elementary school. The pre -schools all have resources available, too. We are living proof, no matter how old we are that times have changed, the world has changed, family structures have changed, schools have changed, how we attend school, how we attend church, how we attend meetings, etc. You get the picture. Still, I am a believer that when we teach our children strong core values, they WILL grow into a better person. They SHOULD feel failure, but, learn to overcome it. They WILL feel hurt, but, learn how to work out those feelings. They DO see a lot of chaos happening around them, and, WE need to help them process it. I do believe that it's healthy for our children to feel these things, so long as we teach them how to express or internalize them. It's really alright to fail, just be sure to get back up. It's really alright to lose, so long as you're a good sport and you learned a lesson to improve, it's really alright to win, too. As long as you're not holding it over anyone else's head. BALANCE, life is all about balance.

Every adult wants the best for their children, we think we are doing them a favor when we give them a trophy for participation. What have they learned? How will they want to become a better person, to try harder, to understand the platform if they win for showing up. Mind you, showing up is a great start, now help them to grow. Give them the tools to expand, the yearning to learn, the desire to be a better person, the heart to help others and the vision and desire to make the world a better place.

Truly, by allowing our children to feel all the feels is a good thing. It creates a balance, it builds character, it helps them to internalize the good, the bad and the ugly and with the proper tools, they will want to BECOME. Become a better person, become a better player, become better at what they find their passion to be and find who they are and what they can accomplish by being a good person. Nobody said it would be easy, but, it is worth it.
1. When a child has good behavior, they know the difference between right and wrong, it's about choices that they make because they understand what it means.
2. When a child perseveres it's because they know that if they give up they won't learn what they're trying to do.
3. When a child is a good friend they will attract other good friends and become good role models for their peers.
4. When a child has healthy habits they will feel better physically and when they build up their mind and attitude they will accomplish more because of health habits.
5. When a child uses their manners verbally they are a pleasure to listen to and others will want to encourage conversations and learn more through and with them.
6. When a child respects others, others will respect them. Treat others as you would like to be treated is an old' cliche', but oh so true.
7.When a child is responsible they internalize the importance of making good choices in what they do, what they say and who they choose to be with.
8. When a child has self-esteem, they are proud of who they are which helps them to become a better learner and yearn to be the best they can be.
9. When a child is warm-hearted they care about others, they think twice about judging or bullying another person. They WANT to make the world a better place.

Mind you, I'm not an expert, I do however have a Ph.d.

I have PASSION, I have HEART and I have DETERMINATION to make a difference in the life of a child and the world we ALL live in. Let's make the world better together.
My TIPS to you are to be a role model, your child wants to be like you. My TIP is to be a better listener, your child is listening to what you have to say, listen to what they have to say, too. My TIP is to look your child in their eyes when they are talking to you, they will know you're listening. My TIP is to BREATHE, do the best you can, have patience, provide your child the resources and tools to grow. My TIP to you is to enjoy the journey, your child is a gift, take the time to unwrap the beauty they hold and then share it with the world. Your kids are our future. Teach them well.
Learn more about the Characters of Character. Learn how you can become involved. Learn how you can donate. Learn about our Projects. Contact Joni at anytime.

This year on Friday the 13th it's is WORLD KINDNESS DAY! What the world needs now, is kindness, sweet kindness. How can you add kindness to your week? How can you share kindness in your community? How can you involve your children in kindness activities? Here at Characters of Character we are hosting a virtual Food Pantry Drive for our community. You can do one in yours, too! It's been a rough year for so many families and with the Holidays approaching quickly, we know that this will be a benefit to our families here in our community. It feels good to think of others, to put others before yourself and to make a difference in the life of others. On our facebook page we will share Kindness Activities all week long, so be sure to like our page, follow us and engage your children in some kindness activities. Stay safe, be well and share a smile, it goes a long way, too! Visit our Amazon List to support this project, or visit our wish list on Target. Thank you.

This is a most challenging time of the year for so many families, let alone adding the Pandemic to the mix. PLEASE, if you don't donate to this Food Pantry Project, be sure to donate to your own local food pantry. Trust me, they are very appreciative of your donations to help others in the community. It takes a village!

Each Thursday in November, Characters of Character will post a Gratitude Activity for children to do. You will find them on Character Corner or our Facebook page. Not only is it important for us as an adult to be grateful, it's so powerful to teach our children the importance of gratitude, daily. It's tough out there these days, we get it, we know! We want to encourage gratitude in your everyday thoughts and activities to help lift your attitude! Today's page is here. 

With the above Gratitude page, print it out, use it as a journal cover or visual reminder with your family and children. One thing I've learned while saving our kids beautiful work is to keep it in one place, it makes it so simple to find as the years go by. Therefore, may I suggest to either make a journal of your own by stapling copy paper together behind each one of the printable, or put them in a folder, or better yet, glue them onto a journal page already bound! Allow your child to add to it. This will increase fine motor, imagination, thought process, increase gratitude and create a better attitude! It's truly a wonderful communication tool, too. If you're very organized, and I AM NOT, after your child works on the pages, file them into a folder or binder, there are so many fun ones out there! This way, you can add to it and share with them when they're older, and use as a visual reminder as they are growing up. Below are simple things in everyday life that we might take for granted. Discuss these with your family and children, bring an awareness and their appreciations is sure to improve!

Characters of Character is extremely grateful for the McHenry County Community Foundation and the James & Karlen Cooney Charitable Fund for granting us funds to purchase a new computer! With this we will be able to design better content and graphics and keep up with the changes of today. Remember however, gratitude is your choice, choose to be happy, choose to find joy and choose to be aware of all the beauty that surrounds us. Try not to focus on the things you don't have, but instead, on the things that you do have. Be GRATEFUL, I know I am.

Just like us, an adult, our children need an outlet to help them cope with what surrounds them on a daily basis. This can be engaging in a sport, a team sport, an art class, a writing class, a music class, a cooking class, volunteering, etc. When we are at peace within, we shine, we glow, we have a better disposition, a better attitude, a better understanding of our surroundings and we want to feel good, we want that happy place to allow us to be who we are! It's important to allow your children to express who they are, no judgements. Perhaps your child loves art and you really wanted them to be more interested in a sport. ALLOW them to be who they are! Your relationship will be better as you embrace who they are, your communications will become more open, don't judge them on their decision to follow a specific interest, unless it's harmful!

If your child enjoys music, this book references nine musical instruments. Each of the characters references an instrument and ties it into their character trait. At the end of the book are pages to write your own song, your own story and to be creative. Creativity is key to so many to express who they are, to bring them to their happy place and to learn just how creative one can truly be. Available on Amazon.

This couldn't be more accurate! I speak from experience, if you tell me something, I probably won't remember how to accomplish the task, but, if you involve me, if you allow me to help you with this task, I WILL remember. Granted, each of us and each child learns differently, absorbs their own way on how to accomplish a task. All I ask is that you are AWARE of how your children learn. They will grow!

I wasn't encouraged as a child to continue my art creativity. As a matter of fact, my high school art teacher said I wasn't that creative. Still, this didn't discourage me, I continued my passion for art and creativity. If not for my husband and our adult kids, I wouldn't have continued this passion, I would not have grown and learned beyond my wildest dreams, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to continue to create, express and make a difference in the life of a child. That my friends, is TEAM WORK! The Characters of Character are truly a family affair,  from the beginning. So, think about how your child expresses who they are, what they want to do, how they engage in activities that they love, versus activities that they are not interested in. Allow them to be creative! Allow them to express who they are and allow them to experience a variety of platforms to find which one that they feel is like home.