FREE Character Counts: Self-Control Character Study Planner

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Does anyone else feel like they are living in an out of control world? So many changes, so many unknowns, and things to worry about. Just turn on the news, listen to talk radio, or spend more than a few minutes on social media. Your head will spin with things that can cause stress and emotional outbursts. It takes patience to sit back and trust God. To think before you speak, or type frantically on your keyboard. It takes extreme self control most days.

In life there are many ups and downs and there are things that happen that are out of our control. We have seen this in our own world in just one short year. It sure has been difficult to have no control over what is going on and to just sit and wait on God’s timing. It is not easy to model to our children. One thing we can do is to recognize that we are not able to control what happens in our world. That we can not control what others say or think, but we can control our own feelings.

We can use these tough times to teach our children that having self control is a key to a happy life. If we model this behavior for our children and talk openly to them about controlling their emotions, you will see great improvement in not only yourself, and your children, but your entire family. A great way to do this is by doing a character study with your children. We offer a FREE Character Study planner each month to our email subscribers. I love how timely these are. Each month, when a new study comes out, it seems to fit perfectly with what is going on in our lives and the lives of our children.

This month’s subscriber freebie is on the character trait of self-control.

Why our Character Counts Planners are special:

Our Character Counts planners are special because all of the work of planning out a character study is done for you! They will help you to plan out a 4-week study on the specific character trait for that month. This month you will teach on Self-Control. You will love how open and go our planners are. All you need to do is open them up and follow the instructions and print the pages out for your children.

They are also customizable so you can pick and choose what you would like to print out from the planner. There are lots of pages to choose from. Maybe you have a child that doesn’t like to write, but enjoys looking at posters. You could print out the motivational posters and Bible verses on self-control. Other children may enjoy deep thoughts, and journaling through what they are working on.

Our planners are not dated and can be used  anytime of the year.  Many families like to create a character training binder to keep them in. Do you enjoy morning time in your homeschool?  Character training is a great addition to a family morning or Bible time. The activity suggestions are geared for all ages in your family, including the parents.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside:

  • Character Quality Family Checklist Worksheet
  • 4 Week Study Guide on Self Control
  • Analyze and Evaluation Sheets
  • Character Trait Planning Worksheets
  • Self Control Journaling Sheets
  • Self Control Study Worksheets for Kids
  • Activity Sheets
  • Self Control Personal Goals Sheets
  • Printable Motivation Posters
  • Certificate of Completion

Each week we send the free access to download your Character Counts Planner in our ezine. The planner access information is always located at the bottom of each email. There is a new planner every single month. If you are not signed up, you can sign up HERE.

Teaching Kids Self-Control – MBFLP 207

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This episode we deal with a perennial problem in parenting – how in the world do we teach our kids self-control? The entertainment and collegiate culture may celebrate raw emotion and thoughtless self-expression – if it’s “authentic” it’s immune from criticism – but the Bible says differently. What’s more, every parent knows that what you might laugh about when they’re two, can wreck their lives when they’re twenty … and make your home intolerable when they’re sixteen. So what can we do to start – and continue – teaching the critical habit of self-control?


 

New
by
Hal and Melanie Young
CLICK HERE to find out more! 

 


What Does the Bible Tell Us?

The Scriptures warn against being led by our impulses and appetites. The Proverbs are full of warnings about the outcome of anger, drunkenness, laziness, gluttony, lust … TLDR, it doesn’t end well for the person “whose god is their belly, who set their minds on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19)

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:21-22 list “self-control” alongside love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness, as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in someone. That says it’s important, and it also should encourage us to pray for it – for our children and ourselves!

Our children are our disciples and they learn from our example … whether good or bad, and as Jesus said, “everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40 ESV).  That should encourage us to try to be the kind of persons we want our kids to become.

Some Practical Ideas

Feelings are real but they may not be accurate. The Lord tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things …” (Jeremiah 17:9) so we can’t trust every feeling that comes up.  Talk with your kids about what they’re feeling and why they think that is. Help them discover whether there’s really a reason to feel so angry or weepy or fearful.

Realize there are times when they really can’t control their emotions.  The pre-teen years are so filled with hormones, it is nearly impossible for the young adolescent to handle them. When they’re in an emotional storm, you may need to comfort and calm them before you can have a rational conversation again. This will pass; when they settle down, it’s good to have that discussion with them.

Help them see that self-control (and self-discipline) offers many rewards. A child who can keep his temper or his tears in check is not as likely to be bullied. If they learn to rein in emotional outbursts and blurted observations, they can save themselves a lot of embarrassment and apologies. And learning to defer their immediate desires in order to finish a task or reach toward a goal will be great preparation for a useful adulthood.

Encourage them to reach up to adult roles early. When ours are 12- or 13 years old, we make a formal transition – they’re no longer “little kids” but now “young adults, in training.” We encourage them to take more responsibility for themselves and contribute more to the work around the house – with more freedom and privilege granted as they take on more responsibility. And our parenting has to transition from “direction” to “advice” as they mature – we want to them to be ready to step into full, independent adulthood sooner rather than later, and that means a lot of coaching and advice to get them prepared.

Teaching Self-Control is a Long Process

It starts as soon as you teach them to dress themselves, go to the potty, and come when you call. It won’t end until they’re fully capable and on their own! But as they grow up, keep the goal in mind – a fully matured, self-disciplined, responsible man or woman after all those years of discipleship. With that goal ahead, you’ll be ready to capitalize on every opportunity to encourage and guide them.