December 1996

• the vast majority (87%) believe that honesty is the best policy and three out of four (75%) said it is always wrong to cheat on an exam. Yet, 65% admitted that they had cheated in the previous year.

• over one-third (39%) reported taking something from a store without paying for it in the last year.

• 44 percent reported striking or using physical force agonist another person in the past 12 months.

Teaching kids right from wrong is a big job and a job that takes all of us. To address this issue and to help support the character education that is already occurring in families, schools, churches, etc., Nebraska Cooperative Extension is implementing Character Counts!. This program developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, is designed to strengthen the character of young people.

Character Counts! focuses on six pillars of character:

TRUSTWORTHINESS-- honesty, integrity loyalty

RESPECT--tolerance, courtesy, acceptance

RESPONSIBILITY--accountability, excellence, self-restraint

FAIRNESS--impartiality, justice

CARING--kindness, sharing, compassion

CITIZENSHIP--service, respect for authority

The program uses age-appropriate activities to make these abstract constructs concrete for each age group. Youth are also challenged to apply the concepts of each pillar to various situations.

Over the next year, the front page of your Ups and Downs of Parenting newsletter will focus on each of these pillars and give you some ideas for reinforcing that pillar with your children. If you would like more information, or would like to become involved in the Character Counts! program, please call your local Extension office.

Remember, character really does count!

Holidays can encourage poor eating, drinking and sleeping habits. There are baked goods, rich refreshments and alcohol at parties. These treats make poor substitutes for balanced meals and the needed seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try for balance and moderation whenever possible during the holiday season. And, never drink and drive.

The days are shorter and the "to do" list is longer. Co-workers are preoccupied, shoppers are demanding, and the traffic can be overbearing. You may need an extra measure of patience.

Patience is the most helpful attribute a parent can have at times like this. Be under- standing. Listening to teen-agers may be the best way for you to encourage your teens through this difficult time of development. Teens learn the value of tradition by being included in planning and carrying out family activities. Their participation in planning what foods to serve, where to go and when to celebrate will let teens feel important and a part of the event. Making holidays a special time gives those involved a sense of importance and meaning. Teens are an important part of the family and will continue, or return, to be a part of family activities if their opinions are valued and accepted. Involving children in planning traditional activities at an early age may help insure involvement when they become teens.

Many budgets are also stretched at holiday times. Gift giving should be an expression of love and friendship. If this element is missing, consider limiting your gift list. It is fun to see a child's excitement, but the quantity of gifts should not be the reason for the season. This year direct children to what they can give others. Helping them to build their character may be the greatest gift of all. Small tokens can communicate, "I'm thinking of you."

Written by Sue Brown, Extension Educator
South Central Six EPU - Adams County