So I don’t usually do product plugs, but y’all…this one has been A.maz.ing.
It’s called We Choose Virtues. It’s designed to help you introduce and teach your kids to think about and live out 12 basic virtues: being Attentive, Content, Diligent, Forgiving, Gentle, Helpful, Honest, Kind, Obedient, Patient, Perseverant, Self-Controlled.
And does it work? For us, it’s a resounding ‘YES’! Here’s why…
We’ve been talking about a lot of these ideas for a long time. But I’d been wanting to be more intentional about real-life application. I wanted my kids to really understand honesty, not just what it is, but why it’s so important. I wanted to introduce the concepts of choices and consequences, of how their actions and attitudes will have results, for other people and for themselves.
But I lacked the vocabulary. I know what all those virtues are, and I could even find Bible verses to match them. But getting them into my kids’ language – that’s what I was struggling to do.
Enter We Choose Virtues. It doesn’t DO the teaching of virtues. It’s still my job to work with my kids and make each virtue come to life for them. But it gives me a vocabulary that the children (5, 5, and 3) totally understand.
Let me give an example. We started with Honest. The card gives a positive definition: “I am a truth teller.” Then it gives a negative definition: “I am NOT a liar, a thief, or a cheater, and I don’t change the truth to get my way.”
So one random Wednesday morning, I decide to give it a whirl. They listen. They love the story of Hockey Stick Nick. It prompts actual conversation about telling the truth. We think of things Nick “could have” said (lies) and then what it would sound like for him to tell his mom the truth. They totally seem to get it. I think…cool!
And within two hours, we had used the Virtue vocabulary twice more. When someone gave an answer that seemed less than true, I asked, “Are you being honest?” Immediately, they stopped making eye contact, changed their story, and we slowly worked toward the truth.
My favorite example came a few days later. Megan was boohoo-ing in my bedroom, holding a coloring page. “They told me I didn’t color it good, and they gave me a zero!” Sure enough, on the back of her page, a big circle. As soon as she said it, Erin came running with her excuse: “Well, I drew it, but it isn’t a zero. It was supposed to be a smiley face, but…um…I forgot to put the face in.” Wow…impressive cover story for a 5 year old. I nearly laughed out loud. Still, a “Are you being a truth teller?” brought a complete change. She dipped her head, dropped her eye contact, totally stuck between her story and her desire not to be caught in a lie. We dealt with the situation, but again, I was amazed. The vocabulary provided by the We Choose Values program had given me exactly the right tools to deal with the dishonesty.
That’s what this program gives you: tools. There are others similar programs out there, and they might work better for you. But this one has worked fantastically for us so far. My kids remember the definitions (before starting Patient last night, we reviewed, and they remembered all 3 of the previous ones easily). Opportunities for conversation come up daily – many, many times! I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve covered Patient just since last night, though that could be because this is a virtue I still struggle with – Ha!
Still, if you are looking for a vocabulary, this is a great option. Again, it doesn’t do the work. You have to weave the concepts into your day. But the tools have been so effective for my family that I think they can be used for similar families or situations, too.
So, check out the website: https://wechoosevirtues.refersion.com/c/af34
Each Virtue has a positive definition, a negative definition, and a character who illustrates that value. There are kids cards, parent cards, assessments, wall posters and coloring pages. The program can be done with Bible verses or without. And it’s set up for families, Sunday Schools, or even homeschool/classrooms.
And for the sake of full disclosure, that is an affiliate link, and I’ll get like 10% of whatever you buy when you use that link. BUT, please let me be clear. I am not recommending this product to get a percentage. It really has worked, and I refused to write this post until I was sure I could support the program without reservation (I bought it a couple of months ago).
I truly do believe this program is worth your money. So check it out if you’re interested, but no worries if you don’t buy anything. If you have questions, let me know. Feel free to start small (I bought the Family Pack). But so far, I have been most impressed, and I have been better prepared to parent my kids in the way they need to go because of the tools this program offers.
