The Family Virtues Guide: Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves

by Linda Kavelin Popov, Dan Popov, John Kavelin

Bring compassion, generosity, and kindness into your home with this essential interfaith parenting guide to raising kids in a virtuous and spiritual household, with week-by-week strategies for living your best lives.
 
The most important job parents have is to pass basic virtues on to their children, and this invaluable book is designed to help make that job a little easier. Compiled by The Virtues Project, an international organization dedicated to inspiring spiritual growth in young and old alike, this multicultural, interfaith handbook shows parents and teachers how to turn words into actions and ideals into realities.

Drawn from the world’s religions, the 52 virtues included here—one for each week of the year—nurture togetherness in family life. The simple strategies, which explain what a virtue is, how to practice it, and signs of success, will engage children of all ages in an exciting process of growth and discovery. This important book shows you how
 
• Learn the language of integrity and self-esteem
• Understand the five roles parents play
• Discover ways to introduce sacred time into family life
• Help children make moral choices
 
The Family Virtues Guide gives adults and children the tools for spiritual and moral growth. Join the thousands of families discovering simple practices for bringing out the best in each other by sharing The Family Virtues Guide.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education, Spirituality, Religion, Family, Self Help

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a "spiritual" book to share ideas and virtues with my children, without weighing them down with too much religious ideology or dogma and this book came up. I've been reading the introductory chapters about how to parent and am finding myself saying, "YES!" and "Thank You!" and "wow! Great idea!" the whole time. But, that part aside, I was really excited to see how the author described each of the 52 virtues included and was thankful to see that she made it all very kid-friendly. I'm excited to start a "Family Circle" time with my kiddos during our new homeschooling year this fall and see how well these ideas take off.

[Christi]

The Montessori School where our children have/ do/ will attend uses this guide for weekly virtues lessons. I've decided to read the book to hopefully better implement the lessons at home to reinforce what they learn in school.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. I thought it was really well done, and described a lot of the virtues that are missing from our society. There is a virtue for each week of the year and the sections are divided up really well. I'm buying a copy as a general overview of why virtues are important to society at large.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book for years. It's a simple reference book that has versatile use in many settings. I've used it with children at home and in classrooms, with older youth, and with adult meditation groups. It has also been a well-received gift to teachers.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and inspiring. Great insight even if you aren't religious (I'm not). A road map for being a good person and raising good kids.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally changed the way I parented my children and helped me see them differently, as beings full of gems awaiting development. The Five Strategies outlined have informed my life as a parent and as a person. I often use them and refer to them as guidelines for interacting successfully with others. It is a book and an approach that has the potential for everyone to create a happy home, a supportive workplace and a healthy community.

[Clairette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is like a handbook to being a good human. I love it. Very appropriate for reading aloud and having convos with school-aged kids, but even adults can learn a thing or two.

This draws from the wisdom of many faiths and calls us to our highest, imperfect selves.

[Auridas Franckevičius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good framework to gradually introduce and explain to your kid some of the most valuable virtues

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book for years and I like to read a chapter a day to help me stay the course

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some wise words and suggestions for instilling a good foundation of moral values and respectful behaviour.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a valuable tool for teaching children (and adults!) what virtues are, why they are important, and how to put them in to practice in daily life! As a family we're choosing one virtue to focus on each week. We meet on Sunday afternoons and discuss the virtue using the information given in The Family Virtues Guide, reinforce the information with games based on the charts and scenarios they provide, and then remind each other throughout the week what we're working on. I really like the use of scriptures from many faiths and how thorough the book is when listing virtues! Several virtues overlap a bit (i.e., responsibility and self-discipline), but we could all use more practice on any of them.

Of course, it's of utmost importance to be a good example in your child's life, but I don't believe an example or vague encouragement to "make good choices" or "be good" is all that's needed. Children need to be taught specifically why it's important to be kind, generous, self-disciplined, humble, etc. and how each of those virtues works in real life. This book helps parents communicate those vital extra dimensions.

Some of the definitions or explanations are still a bit vague or "out there" for my kids to grasp and words like "detachment" go way over my 3- and 6yo's heads, but with a few tweaks to fit your own family's individual needs, this is a valuable resource and one worth owning.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Maritza]

Parenting is the most complex and important activity on the planet. Parents are a child's first educator, yet they receive little or no training for this vital role.

The Virtues Project helps parents to awaken the qualities of character that exist in potential in their children. By speaking the language of virtues, setting virtues-based boundaries and recognizing teachable moments, we bring out the best in our children -- and ourselves. We become mentors helping our children to become compassionate, courageous, respectful, confident and purposeful. The greatest gift we can give our children is the authentic self-esteem that comes from developing their virtues -- becoming contributors rather than consumers. The world needs people willing to take personal responsibility. Let it be this generation.

When Linda Kavelin Popov appeared on her show, Oprah Winfrey said of The Family Virtues Guide, "How to instill 'do the right thing' virtues in your children. Parents are always saying children don't come with a guidebook. This is one! This helps you get them on the right track of leading a good life."

[Mathilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that book ... allows to tackle 52 virtues explained in simple words. I have it handy and refer to it all the time. Although there is a definition on Compassion ... I don't agree with it fully especially after our weekend of workshop!!
Also lots of brilliant ideas on how to apply 'The family virtues guide' in your family ... and how to feel empowered as a parent ... parent as educator, authority, guide, counselor ...
A 'must read' when working with families !!!

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful book if you can overlook all the religiousness screaming out in some sections. reminds me of the simple things that we need to embrace as humans living this human experience.

I have just order this book on half.com. I have already wanted to go back to it twice. I think it will be so great to have on hand when things come up for all us.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The number one thing I like about this book is the simple ideas it gives to bring out the best in our children and ourselves. The comprehensive list of virtues, their definitions, and simple ways to practice that value make this book a go to book when disucssing virtues/values with my children.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing guide for families wishing to strengthen their core virtues and instill a TRUE understanding of them in their children. The book contains suggestions for focusing on one virtue per week, for an entire year...including discussions of how implementing each virtue might look. BRAVO!

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has 52 virtues with small lessons, so a virtue per week. I will be using it at home and with the kids I mentor. I do think, however, I will be building off the author's ideas, not just sticking to what's in the book.

[Jody Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent guide on how to develop virtues as a family --how to inspire both kids and adults in moral and spiritual development. I found it extremely inspiring and helpful.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've been using this book with our kids for the past year. We really like it. It has 52 different virtues which lets you focus on one per week. We have found it very useful

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've been using this book to teach a virtue each week (or so) with our kids. We really like it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely aimed for parents

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a big book of nothing IMO. The concept is great, but what was "usable" to me could have been taken written in an essay. It's good for reference though! Could have been better though.

[Leila T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very necessary for anyone involved in children's education.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly cherish this book. The language I use with my children is deeply empowering for the entire family.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, a must read for teaching your kids values.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost perfect....but in the end good parenting is responsible for everything and touches everyone. Cheers.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that sets up a 52-week strategy for intentionally educating children about virtues and values in the home, while involving all family members in the process.

[Longnguyen]

it's very good for me to read.
i think it is very necessary for parents to teach their children

[Melanie]

Donated 2012