By Jean Tracy, NW Author
KidsDiscuss.com, Parent Newsletter
Radio Shock Jocks and Rappers say unspeakable things that bring our culture down. What can you do to protect your kids and build their characters up? Why not arrange neighborhood character building parties for your kids and their friends? These parties will light up any rainy afternoon and get kids thinking too.
Research tells us to use moral dilemmas for building character in kids. When children hear peers give good answers, it influences their character to grow. Now you can encourage your kids and their friends by arranging fun parties with moral dilemmas. Here’s how:
Parenting advice for character building parties:
* Ask parents for permission for their kids to attend.
* Buy cookie dough and paper plates.
* Hide moral dilemmas under each plate.
* Bake the cookies and bring in the kids.
Parenting Skills – Helping kids enjoy moral dilemma discussions:
While the cookies melt in their mouths, tell the kids to look under their plates for a special dilemma. Ask each kid to read, listen, and discuss their dilemma with the group. Don’t be surprised with the smiles, laughter, and great answers.
Parenting Advice – Consider using this moral dilemma at the party:
Eddie wants to make extra money for a special scooter. He goes from door to door asking the neighbors if they will hire him to weed and cut their grass. He is charging $8.00 an hour.
You see that Eddie is making good money. You want to make money too. So you knock on the same doors and ask if you can weed and cut their grass for $6.00 an hour.
Parenting Skills – Here are some questions to prompt the discussion:
* Is being competitive OK if you steal someone else’s idea? Why or why not?
* How could you be a friendly competitor with Eddie?
* How many different solutions to this dilemma can you come up with?
Parenting Skills – Ideas to help the kids think about:
* Competition is normal but there can be problems.
* Stealing ideas from competitors could create enemies and give you a bad name.
* You could offer to help the neighbors by doing different jobs like cleaning the garage and washing their windows.
* You and Eddie could decide to go into business together, charge the same amount, and share your profits.
After each child has presented their dilemma for discussion, praise them for their good ideas. If you do, they’ll enjoy sharing their opinions. They’ll love hearing their peers appreciate their ideas too. What’s more, the kids will be supporting each other to think with character.
Don’t be surprised if the children beg for another character building party. Why not consider arranging such parties often? You’ll be discouraging the influence of the shock jocks and rappers. You’ll be lifting the children’s minds and you’ll be increasing character in your neighborhood too. Here’s to your character building success!
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If you’re wondering where to get dilemmas for your character building parties, pick up our DILEMMA DISCUSSION KIT with its 51 dilemmas to share with your kids.
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