The Family Virtues Guide: Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves

Table of Contents:
The Family Virtues GuidePreface Introduction: How to Use The Family Virtues Guide Chapter 1. Who Are Our Children, Really? The Spiritual Nature of Children The Longing for Mastery and Meaning What Kids Are What Kids Are Not The Oppositis Trap The "Chip Off the Old Block" Syndrome Isn't Love Enough?Chapter 2. What's a Parent to Do? Parenting Principles and Practices in the Virtues Project Parent as Educator Strategy 1. Recognize Teachable Moments From Shaming to Naming Use Virtues, Not Labels Change Enabling to Empowering Avoid the Abuse of Guilt What If Your Child Does Something Really Terrible? Be a Teacher, Not a Preacher Strategy 2. Speak the Language of the Virtues Tap the Power of Language to Shape Culture Tap the Power of Language to Transform Use Virtues to Acknowledge Use Virtues to Correct Name the Act, Not the Actor Be Specific and Accurate Parent as Authority Strategy 3. Set Clear Boundaries An Educative Model of Authority Give Children R&R: Routines and Rituals Ten Guidelines for Establishing Family Ground Rules Give Choices Within Boundaries Set Boundaries When Virtues Are Violated Set Boundaries to Prepare Children for New Situations Four Principles of Discipline Parent as Guide Strategy 4. Honor the Spirit Share Your Skills Share Your Family Stories Create Routines of Reverence Mark Special Times with Special Rituals What About God? Parent as Counselor Strategy 5. Offer the Art of Spiritual Companioning What About Feelings? Help Children to Make Moral Choices Open the Door Offer Receptive Silence Ask Cup-Emptying Questions Focus on Sensory Cues Ask Virtues-Reflection Questions Ask Closure and Integration Questions Offer Virtues Acknowledgments Chapter 3. How To Apply the Virtues Family Guide in Your Family Introducing the Virtues Project to Your Children Suggestions for Getting Started Set a Time to Meet Open with Something Simple and Reverent Describe the Family Virtues Guide Choose a Virtue to Practice This Week Practice Moderation How to Hold a Family Virtues Meeting Balance Creativity and Order A Sample Agenda Keep It Positive Keep It Simple and Sacred Practice Reverence with a Sharing Circle Apply Creativity and Joyfulness Review the New Virtue of the Week Create Peacefulness with a Closing Ritual Act with Tact Virtues: The Gifts Within Assertiveness Caring Cleanliness Compassion Confidence Consideration Courage Courtesy Creativity Detachment Determination Enthusiasm Excellence Faithfulness Flexibility Forgiveness Friendliness Generosity Gentleness Helpfulness Honesty Honor Humility Idealism Joyfulness Justice Kindness Love Loyalty Mercy Moderation Modesty Obedience Orderliness Patience Peacefulness Prayerfulness Purposefulness Reliability Respect Responsibility Reverence Self-discipline Service Steadfastness Tact Thankfulness Tolerance Trust Trustworthiness Truthfulness Unity Scriptural References Bibliography Appendix A. Discussion Exercises Discussion Exercise 1: Oppositis - "It Doesn't Matter." Discussion Exercise 2: From Shaming to Naming Discussion Exercise 3: Recognize Teachable Moments Discussion Exercise 4: Ready or Not Discussion Exercise 5: Virtues Acknowledgments Discussion Exercise 6: Virtues Corrections Discussion Exercise 7: The Power of Consistency Discussion Exercise 8: What Difference Can a Ground Rule Make? Discussion Exercise 9: Give Choices within Boundaries Discussion Exercise 10: What's Wrong with This Picture? Discussion Exercise 11: A Family Values History Discussion Exercise 12: A Confidence History Discussion Exercise 13: Spiritual Companioning with Children Appendix B. The Dos and Dont's of Bringing Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves Appendix C. How to Make a Virtues Tree Felt Board Appendix D. Programs and Materials of the Virtues Project; World Wide Web Site About the Authors

About the Author :
LINDA KAVELIN POPOV is the author of The Family Virtues Guide and is one of the founders and directors of the Virtues Project International.She travels around the world in support of the project's initiatives, speaking to communities, businesses, and governmental organizations.The United Nations Secretariat has honored the Virtues Project as a model for global reform for people of all cultures.She lives in the Gulf Islands near Victoria, British Columbia.

Review :
Praise for The Family Virtues Guide “An important book for teachers and those who work with children. It teaches the importance of developing moral character.”—St. Petersburg Times “Emphasizes family virtues—those things that are valued by all faiths and cultures in the world, such as love, loyalty and courage.”—Newsday