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You are here: Home / Purposeful Parenting / We Choose Virtures

We Choose Virtures

Affiliate links included. I became an affiliate for We Choose Virtues because I am totally in love with it.

I read an article once about nagging your kids. It was kind of a scientific thing and I can’t remember all of it, but basically it was about how when we are yelling and nagging at our kids for the 50 millionth time in a row, all they hear is the actual nagging, “Pick up your toys! Turn off the light! Do the dishes!”

In actuality, I don’t care about the toys, the lights or the dishes. What I care about is my kids obeying. What I really want them to know is, “You are part of the family. Your help around the house is a gift to us. Learning to focus on cleaning now will help you focus as an adult later.”

So, instead of hounding them on the actual chore or activity, we need to be nagging encouraging them on the heart issue. I don’t always remember to do this, but when I do, I can see such a difference in my kids’ attitude and mine towards them.

The main reason I don’t focus on the heart issue is because I don’t really know how to word it. You can’t pull out a Bible and say, “The Bible says to do the dishes!”

You know what has helped me and given me the tools, the words and direction? The We Choose Virtues program. I’ve written a full review about it, when we first started it as our morning devotion on our homeschool days. Now that we’ve been through all 13 virtues (and started them over this week), I can see how it helps me as a parent.

For example, when the kids are dancing around the dishwasher and using spatulas as swords; instead of turning around and yelling, “DO THE DISHES!”. I can easily say, “I need you to be diligent with the dishes. What does that mean?” They’ll respond, “I start fast, work hard and finish strong.” To which I can respond, “Are you working hard?” And then they (usually) start working hard.

Isn’t that a better conversation? A better lesson?

I would not have been able to have this conversation (even though I’m fairly well-versed in the Bible and in the character qualities I want for my kids) without the definitions, declarations and devotions from We Choose Virtues (how ’bout that alliteration, eh?).

Our virtue this week is,ย  “I am Helpful: I find things that need to be done and I do them.” HELLO. Isn’t this the kind of kid you want? The kind of employee? spouse? parent?

I could go on and on about We Choose Virtues. It’s like they chose all the verses from the Bible you want to instill in your kids, then made easy to remember declarations for each one. It is one of my favorite weapons in my arsenal. (Maybe tools in my toolbox would be a better description?)

 

We Choose Virtues Family Pack

This isn’t a homeschool/school virtues thing. They have an awesomeย Family Kitย which includes:

Parenting Cards (which have the virtue definitions and the devotions/activities)
Flash Cards (smaller cards with the definitions–perfect for putting on the dinner table or on the fridge)
Virtue Poster (includes all the virtues and definitions–we have ours taped inside our pantry door for easy reference!)
Three Rules Poster (the three rules are 1)obey 2)be kind 3)be a helper. how awesome is that?!)
+ free downloads like coloring sheets, awards and a teacher’s guide.

If you’re a homeschooling family, there’s a homeschool kit that includes some extras. And if you just want the bare minimum, all you need is the Parenting Cards.ย 

We Choose Virtues

You will love using We Choose Virtues around your kitchen table or in your schoolroom!

ohamanda.com


Category: Purposeful Parenting

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    February 2, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Patience! A virtue both myself and my children need to be reminded of daily.

  2. Angela says

    February 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    We need to learn self-control. Self-control over our emotions; self-control over our words; self-control over jumping out of the closet and scaring our sister. Thank-you so much, Amamda, for this article!!

  3. Missy says

    February 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    For contentment and obedience. Love your blog Amanda. Thank you!

  4. Shannon says

    February 2, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Self-control for me, for them, for all of us!

  5. Katie says

    February 2, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    I love this set! We do this in a homeschool group that we are a part of! I would live to win a set for home ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Dawn Habegger says

    February 2, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    How do I choose just one when they all seem so important?! But I think if I had to choose one virtue, ut would be kindness. When you are kind you are thinking of the needs of others and using self control.

  7. Carrie says

    February 2, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Thank you for this chance to win. We need to learn more contentment and obedience.

  8. Melissa Flanigan says

    February 2, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    My husband and I are constantly looking for ways to shape our children’s hearts and not just modify their behavior. This post was really encouraging to me, as a mom of 3 children ages 1, 3, and 5! I think the virtue I would have to pick is kindness. It seems to be a forerunner for many of the others. I would LOVE to win your free set! Blessings!

  9. sara ferguson says

    February 2, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I would want to focus on self- control! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Lee Anne says

    February 2, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I would love to encourage my little helper! Obedience the first time would be quite lovely!

  11. Deanna says

    February 2, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Self-Controlled!!! Throwing a fit when you have to get your diaper changed isn’t okay. ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Missy says

    February 2, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    I have been looking at We Choose Virtues for several months now. The chance to combine biblical wisdom and life skills is so great! I couldn’t begin to choose a specific virtue to teach my kids – we need wisdom in all of them! ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Carrie says

    February 2, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Self-control — I have two of mine that will melt down in dramatic sadness if things do not go how they wanted them to go. To have them be in control of how they express those emotions…we’re working on that!

  14. Heather says

    February 2, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Contentment! Even I need a lesson in that one ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Melanie says

    February 2, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Contentedness, obedience, self control are all areas we struggle with.

  16. Heather @ Cultivated Lives says

    February 2, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Diligence is what we are working on over here in a major, major way…

  17. Julie says

    February 2, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    This looks wonderful, and looking at the website… not something I can afford right now. Obedience and self control, my kids are 4 & 2.

  18. Jamie {See Jamie blog} says

    February 2, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Oh! I so need this! I wish I’d had it years ago, but with adding a 4yo and 5yo to the mix here soon, we REALLY need it! Don’t know what they’re biggest virtue would be to work on but I think my older kids would “accidentally” learn more in the process of teaching the younger kids!

  19. Jenn @ The Purposeful Mom says

    February 2, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Contentedness is our biggest struggle!

  20. Katherine says

    February 2, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    We need to work on kindness! This sibling rivalry is killing me!! I think I prefer 3am feedings :/

  21. Melissa says

    February 2, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    Oh boy! Being content! For sure :-):-

  22. Christine says

    February 2, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    I would love them to have diligence and self control. Different ones for different children – 3 boys! Love your blog and the love you have for your family and the Lord!

  23. Kelly says

    February 2, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    I would say “selflessness” or not to be selfish, but I guess that’s not a virtue, so being kind to one another. ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. CHARLINE says

    February 2, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    It’s difficult to choose a favorite but I suppose self control would be one of the top. If they could “get” that, if I could
    get that we would be wonderfully strengthened for the rest of the virtues.

  25. Lisa says

    February 2, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    At the moment… Obedience! It’s been something we’ve been working on lately & it hasn’t been easy! Would love to win!

  26. CHARLINE says

    February 2, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Self control is my favorite

  27. Tonya says

    February 2, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    kindness

  28. Amy Marshall says

    February 3, 2013 at 12:27 am

    It would definetly be obedience! Thank you for the giveaway.

  29. Alison says

    February 3, 2013 at 12:28 am

    If I have to pick just one…obedience. Could really use this!

  30. Heather says

    February 3, 2013 at 1:03 am

    LOVE these! I’m all about having little “phrases” to say instead of having the harsh “because I said so” response. You had me at “diligent”. I really think we are in a season we could be working on all of these virtues. But with 4 boys I’m thinking “kind” would be a nice character quality to focus on! Thanks Amanda!

  31. Susan says

    February 3, 2013 at 1:21 am

    Self control and Forgiving! I have been thinking about doing this for so long now! I’m seriously excited!!!
    Thank you for test running them for us all ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Cyndy says

    February 3, 2013 at 2:23 am

    I would love to have my children learn more kindness for eachother.

  33. Anne says

    February 3, 2013 at 3:31 am

    Sure need these, just as much for me as my children! I know I need to model them!!! Right now though, we are struggling with teaching contentment!!

  34. LAURA says

    February 3, 2013 at 8:51 am

    I would love to have these for my family looks awesome.

  35. Jennifer N says

    February 3, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I’d love my kids to develop better self-control.

  36. Melissa Kinsey says

    February 3, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Amanda, this is just what I need right now! Thanks for sharing. Love the pic…you know Asa and Layla are the same age and she needs to get her “wanter under control!” Hope ya’ll are doing well! – Melissa

  37. Katrina says

    February 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    This sounds incredible! Overall, my kids do very well but, we have had some struggles with being diligent lately and, indeed, it can be hard to not fall back into nagging as a parent. I know my kids would really respond well to the positive nature of this set; thanks for the opportunity to possibly win it!

  38. Anna Angela says

    February 3, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Is there a big difference between the parenting cards and the teacher’s cards? I would love to use this resource in our children’s ministry, but need to consider budget.

    • oh amanda says

      February 3, 2013 at 10:56 pm

      As far as I know the parent/teacher cards are the same. I *think* the only differences are if you get the NIV or the KJV. You might wanna email We Choose Virtues personally and double-check! They are super friendly and will love to help, I’m sure.

      [email protected]

  39. Coral says

    February 3, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Kind!

  40. Jen Stanbro says

    February 3, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    No Worries about entering me to win, I just love this so much and wanted to say that this K-12 teacher turned homeschool mom loves it!

    I love the format, I love the verbiage, I love the simplicity, I love the colorful materials and the chart!

    We are meeting Gerbil & Jill tomorrow as we learn to be gentle and so far this has been HUGELY successful with Diligence, Helpfulness and Perseverance…and for me too!

    I come to the end of the day and the bedtime routine is staring me in the face…I’m whipped and wish I could just twinkle my nose like Samantha Stevens (Bewitched) and the kids could be peacefully asleep…but then I think to myself, “Self, you started fast today, you worked hard, now finish strong.” And knowing that these tie right into scripture, I call it to mind and the Holy Spirit empowers me with the 2nd wind I need to end my day on a high with my babies, totally invested right to the very last blown kiss and whispered goodnight.

    Good Stuff!

    • oh amanda says

      February 4, 2013 at 12:36 pm

      Thank you, Jen! You are so right–it helps ME evaluate my attitude. In fact, I just started taking a picture of the parent card and putting as the lock screen on my phone so I memorize it and think about it all day.

      Love hearing your experience (you encourage me!).

      a

  41. Kristin says

    February 3, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    Can I pick two? We need to focus on kindness and contentment here!

  42. Jenifer Parris says

    February 4, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Definitely self-control! ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Michelle Lunka says

    February 4, 2013 at 12:38 am

    We are working on different ones with each of the kids but I think it could easily be summed up in self-controlled!

  44. Rachel says

    February 4, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Hee hee, we don’t even have kids yet and I totally would love this! This future mama needs to learn diligence for herself (give the freebie to someone else though!).

  45. Ellie W says

    February 4, 2013 at 9:14 am

    To be content! I need to learn that to as a parent!

  46. Karlyn Hillman says

    February 4, 2013 at 11:58 am

    At this moment in time I want to instill no complaining and being content!! The whole family needs to learn this lesson, including the mom (me)!!

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