ESP Character Training

This post has been in my "drafts" for months now!  I originally started it to recommend the book "ESP Character Training" by Kim S. Doebler, but had only read the first chapter (I was just really excited because this book really is awesome!).  Now, I am almost finished with the book, and have been doing intentional, daily character training with my son, David, since Spring 2011.  It has been so rewarding to have words and tools to use to teach him what we, as parents, expect of him.  And that we don't expect these things just because we are his parents and we can, but because God tells us in His word that the "fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galations 5:22).  It has also shown us where we are lacking in our own character and how we should change if we expect our kiddos to have godly character as well.

Kim's book is first of all based on God's Word.  Each chapter represents a character trait.  She defines the character trait, then lists Scripture that points to why we even need to be concerned whether or not we have patience, self-control, and orderliness.  Then, she gives idea after idea of games and practical lessons we can go through with our kiddos to teach them what, say, obedience or truthfulness, mean and what we expect of them in these areas.  Peter and I have incorporated many of these ideas and they have been the springboard for ideas of our own.  I have started getting the question from other people lately, "are you doing any preschool for David?"  Yes!  Yes, we are doing character training!  Learning respect, truthfulness, obedience, patience, self-control, kindness, etc!  I am not concerned about whether or not David will learn his letters and numbers or how to write his name when he is 3 (and we do do some of that, but it is not our priority).  If we can lay a foundation of who David is as God created him, what his place is as God created it in the family, how to love God and have a character that God calls him to, then David will have solid roots!  Letter, numbers, writing and reading will come!  And he will be ready to learn them because he will know how to obey and have the self-control and discipline to sit still and finish his task of learning those lessons each day!

So, buy this book!  It is great!  It will help you set goals and give you lots and lots of practical ideas on how to work toward those goals...for yourself and your kiddos!