Teaching Kids to Have Enduring Character Traits

Let's rethink toys folks.  We all know that kids love toys just as much as grown-ups do.  Birthdays and Christmas' are times when we tend to indulge in gift givings - books, bikes, building blocks, etc... Overtime, we have a sea of toys scattered everywhere creating stressful and challenging moments that can erode the happiness we intended to create in the first place.  Subsequently, you end up spending more time cleaning and finding ways to organize all the toys in your home. 

First of all, kids do not need all those toys!  Scale back and think of ways of increasing the value of the gift you want your kids to have e.g. building enduring character traits and talents that will sustain them throughout their life. 

1. Encourage a musical interest.  Maybe if they are good enough, they can use their talent to entertain others.  Where I work, there is a student group that devotes their time each Saturday entertaining hospice and care home patients.  What better way to give your gift of music to help others feel alive again. 

2. Do a toy drive for other children.  This will teach kids to have a charitable heart and think broadly about how they can help communities in dire need. 

3. Get them outdoors where they can build a healthy body and spirit.  Help them explore the natural world, not a virtual one.  Help them to devote their time in environmental clean-ups and caring for our planet. 

4.  Find an awesome, magical place where kids and adults can both have fun while building those attributes of courage and strength. Nature has its own healing energies.  Take a look at this video. I have done this activity numerous times with groups of city breed kids who have never been out in the wilderness.  They learned to let go of their fears and anxieties.  What magical transformation it has done to their sense of power. 

Remember, ordinary plastic toys won't do that for them.  Build sustainable activities and memories that will serve a higher purpose in your kids life.