April 08, 2017

Quote of the Week

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." -- C.S. Lewis

Raising A Child With Integrity

"C.S. Lewis once said, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” Oftentimes we talk about this idea of integrity without grasping what it truly means. What if I told you it was not a single action, but a mind-set you needed to develop? Integrity is born in the mind and heart of a person. It comes from who you really are as a man or woman, and what you really believe about right and wrong, good and evil. And integrity is exhibited not in just one act of goodness, but in your whole character. To teach your kids how to harness this vital virtue, you must first ask yourself if you really believe in the importance of modeling a life of integrity that your children can follow. " [read more]

An Act of Integrity to Share with Kids

"Reuben Gonzales was a leading racquetball player. In his first ever professional tournament Gonzales reached the final. He held match point in the fifth and final game when he made a terrific “kill shot” into the front corner to win the tournament. The ball was called good and all were ready to congratulate the new champion when Gonzales turned around and declared that his shot had hit the floor before it reached the wall. He lost his serve and his opponent went on to win the match and the tournament. The next issue of National Racquetball Magazine featured Gonzales on its cover. Everyone wanted to know why Gonzales did it – why would a professional sportsman disqualify himself after he had just been declared winner of match point? Gonzales reply was simple: “It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity.” " --[Source]

Reading Corner

Title: Stand Tall!: A book about integrity
Author: Cheri J. Meiners
Age: 4-8 yrs

This book covers the subject of integrity from many different angles. A girl who loves to stand tall in many ways. She is proud of her heritage, learns from others, sets goals and works to achieve them, does what is right, makes good choices, helps others, is dependable and a good friend. There are four full pages of questions and activities in the back that can be used by teachers and parents alike.

Title: Raising Kids with Character: Developing Trust and Personal Integrity in Children
Author: Elizabeth Berger
Age: Adults

"Raising Kids with Character shows parents, clinicians, and policy-makers how the love relationship between parents and children is the workshop of the child's maturing personality, connecting everyday moments in family life to the growth of the child's sense of values and meaning. The book explains how children develop into fine, morally strong adults through their identification with loving parents, and combines practical wisdom about ordinary family experiences with an in-depth discussion of emotional development from birth through adulthood." -- Publishers

Be the Change

Present different scenarios to your child and ask them what action they would take.  For example, your child buys a drink and notices that the shopkeeper accidentally gives them too much change. Their parent is present, but is distracted. Do they tell the shopkeeper and give the money back? Do they take the money and not tell anyone? Do they tell their parent?  Discuss their actions and guide them about how to make a choice with integrity.