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| Caterpillar becomes Butterfly |
I first discovered We Choose Virtues about a year ago. I was looking for a way to engage my kids brain in preparation for school, and to reign in the lively Firecracker Attitudes and Actions of Miss Five and Master Three.
I didn’t simply want to tell my kids, “Do this! Be That! Because I said so!” I wanted to give them a Reason for having Good Attitudes and Actions, and I wanted them to know How to put them into practice. I wanted them to be Inspired!
And we had already made up a Fruit to the Spirit Sticker Chart at home, which Miss Five looked forward to decorating each night before bed. She loved seeing how many Fruit she had displayed during the day, and loved to ‘win’ the race against herself each day.
Two things caught my attention when I explored the We Choose Virtues Product Line:
1) the Tag Line for We Choose Virtues is ‘Inspire Character That Lasts’; and
2) the Virtues are based on the Fruit of the Spirit.
So, I knew that We Choose Virtues was what I needed.
We Choose Virtues sent me the Parenting Cards and the 100 Days of Virtue Poster with Butterfly Stickers to review.
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| 100 Days of Virtue Poster |
Miss Five and Master Three instantly fell in love with this Poster and the Stickers! They love the idea of a Caterpillar becoming a Butterfly. Each evening Miss Five wants to know who many Caterpillars have transformed. She has risen to the Virtue Challenge.
Both of them dance around the house, singing the song “Bullfrogs and Butterflies” (not related to WVC – but an awesome way to reinforce the message of God transforming us into His Likeness). And using this poster and song was an awesome opportunity to teach them a little insect biology!
But how do you make the transformation? What is the Virtue ‘Cocoon’?
This is where the Parenting Cards come in.
Each card has two sides.
Side One is full color, with a Character that Personifies the Virtue, and two statements that define what the Virtue Is and what it Isn’t, plus a Bible verse. For example: A favourite and oft quoted Virtue in my house is Self Controlled: I make myself do the right thing. I am not wild, rowdy, or disorderly and I don’t expect others to control me! If things are getting a little out of control, then I ask, “What does Stop Sign Madeline say?” And the kids answer with the sentence above.
Side Two has a story, staring the Virtue Character, to illustrate the Virtue, and tips to help your child understand what is expected and how to put the Virtue into practice.
Neither of my kids read yet, so having a Character attached to each Virtue is a great way for them to remember them.
How did I implement We Choose Virtues in my home?
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| Parenting Cards |
Each morning during our devotions, I introduced the “Virtue of the Day”. Miss Five and Master Three would repeat the statements on Side One after me, then I read the story on Side Two and I ask them how they thought they could put this Virtue into practice. Master Three is usually pretty antsy. Miss Five is engaged and likes knowing what’s expected of her and finding new ways to do it. She also wants to see those Caterpillars become Butterflies!
After all the Virtues were up on the wall, I sorted them under the Three Rules: Obey, Be Kind, Be a Helper. We still have our “Virtue of the Day” to which we dedicate extra effort, but I can also point at any given card and give a gentle reminder of the attitudes and actions I expect. Master Three has a little problem with Perseverance, so I am often reminding him of Penny Jenny’s Perseverant attitude: I can do it even when it’s tough. I am not going to give up or complain, and I don’t say ‘I can’t’ or ‘It’s too hard’. He is learning to stop the whining and put more effort in, rather than just giving up and throwing a fit on the floor.
One more wonderful aspect of We Choose Virtues is that it’s not just about Mummy imposing rules or an idea on her kids. It’s about learning and growing together. The Virtue of the Day doesn’t just apply to my kids. They apply to Me. I need to be Diligent, Perseverant, and Content in my responsibilities as a mother and a house wife. I need to be Kind, Gentle, Patient and Forgiving with my kids. And my kids have permission to remind me if my attitudes and actions are not reflecting the Virtues. “Mummy, what does Airplane Betty Jane say? You’re not being Attentive!”
We Choose Virtues is working for us! The kids know what the target is, they know how to achieve it and they actually want to rise to the Virtue Challenge.
We are learning and growing together.
I highly recommend We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards and 100 Days of Virtue Poster.
We Choose Virtues is currently offering 20% discount on all Virtue Card Packs with code CARDS20 (that includes the Parenting Cards, and 25% discount on all School Kits (over $99) with code START25. Valid Until September 30, 2012.
To order, please click below.
(Photo credit: all photos are from www.wechoosevirtues.com)
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