| Do your children know your heroes and mentors? | | | | and women who have given the world an example |
| Why do you admire them? | | | | of character and valor. |
| There is very little correlation between good grades | | | | Help Children Find Heroes and Build Character |
| and success in life. Are you surprised? I was certainly | | | | Who do you admire in life? What are the teachings |
| amazed to find that of the valedictorians and the "C" | | | | that shaped your destiny? How do you define |
| or even "D" student years later, it was not | | | | leadership? Does your child recognize those who step |
| academics that prepared them for life. It was those | | | | up from the ordinary and act in a brave and |
| who felt empowered by the adults in their life who | | | | courageous way? |
| knew they could contribute to the world. | | | | Take the time to talk about the heroes and mentors |
| As parents, grandparents and other caring adults, we | | | | in your life and the lives of others who have shared |
| can share respect and admiration with our children for | | | | stories. Include stories and examples not only of |
| those who go the extra mile. We can help them to | | | | world leaders, but also heroes in your family, |
| find heroes and then examine the character traits | | | | neighborhood and community. Be sure that you |
| that made them who they are. | | | | include those who have died but whose character |
| Heroes Inspire Us To Become All We Can Be | | | | traits and example live on. It is important for children |
| Heroes are mortal just like us. Everything which has | | | | to learn that character traits and responsibility are a |
| ever been done in the history of the world has been | | | | part of who they are. |
| done by somebody. Some person pulled on those | | | | They have the choice to build character by the |
| character traits in their heart and responded with | | | | choices made on a daily basis. Making a choice to |
| courage, bravery, loyalty or honesty. If they can do | | | | follow a path forged by heroes is an honorable one |
| it so can we. | | | | which will bring joy and progress to others, not just |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The hero is no braver | | | | satisfy a selfish whim. As parents and other caring |
| than the ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes | | | | adults, we help foster these characteristics in our |
| longer." | | | | children the same way we teach other desirable |
| Our children will be at the forefront of great | | | | traits; by practice and example. |
| inventions and thinking involving global warming, | | | | I have confidence in your ability to assist your |
| environment, the global economy and helping | | | | children to find heroes in life and to build character |
| humanity.We help them to be problem-solvers and | | | | strengths on a daily basis. |
| forward thinkers, by introducing them to the men | | | | |