An Amazing Transformation!!

I enjoy reading self-help books because I learn quite a bit from them.  They help me be a better person.  These are some of the books I have read lately (sometimes it takes me a while to get through self-help books, unlike a good novel that I rarely ever read because then I end up neglecting my family for 4-5 days), along with another about what Striplings Warriors learn from their mothers (that I leant to my sister.)  I loved every single one of them for different reasons!!  I am currently reading one about helping our families become Forever Families and also the Eternal Marriage handbook (which I have been reading for a few years and saving my favorite quotes.)  The last one I am currently reading is called, "Over 100 Tips for Parents and Teachers: Raising Happy Kids" by Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer.  I always keep a pencil with me (when I am reading self-help books) and either take notes or underline in the book.  In this book, I have practically underlined the entire book.  Apparently, I have a lot to learn about this topic. 

My favorite of all was probably "Being A Mom: 10 Strategies I Learned by Accident because I Had Children on Purpose."  I highly recommend this book to all Mothers, especially for any perfectionists out there.  ;)  One lesson I learned from this book is that there are times when it is better not to go the second mile.  It also talks about each and every stage of childhood-- the things you have to endure and the things you will want to enjoy/treasure every second of.

Now to the real reason for this post-- When I read the book, "A Survival Guide from a Family of Nine: Raising a G-Rated Family in an X-Rated World," I found tons of really great ideas, that I am starting to use with my kids.  One of them was to pick values and work on one each month (or each week).  At Family Home Evening (or just at a family meeting), you talk about the chosen value.  You ask the following questions (or any other you feel are important):
1) To whom does this value apply?  or Who demonstrates this value?
2) What is the meaning of this value?
3) Where can we show or see this value?
4) Why is this value important?
5) When do we use this value?
Choose a story that illustrates the value or its opposite.
Then put up a chart for the value.  Catch each other in the act of demonstrating the value and then nominate each other.  (You can not nominate yourself.)  At the end of the week, add up who is the winner of the award and share the good things everyone did.  The value award winner wins...  In our family, it was an ice cream date with Daddy.  My brother and sister-in-law chose to let the winner have first choice on everything (biggest dessert, favorite seat in the van, first to be served their dinner, etc.) 

Anyway, our children had an amazing transformation!  They were so excited to be the winner of the award for the week.  They all tried so hard!  I kept the winner a secret until the big reveal!!  It was so fun!  And they especially enjoyed having a date with Daddy. 

The values we chose to work on were:  Being Thoughtful, Service to Others, Quickly I'll Obey, and Bringing Happiness to Others (things we all needed to work on.)

Some more ideas from the book are:  Fairness, Generosity, Humor, Love, Tolerance, Caring, Unselfishness, Loyalty, Respect, Honesty, Citizenship, Justice, Gratitude, Humility, Trustworthiness, Courage, Politeness, Fidelity, Self-Reliance, Responsibility,...

PS- I found these free awards here--  http://www.certificatestreet.com/templates/blank.html

and then typed in the info that I wanted.  You can't save them but you can print them.