Revelations:
*You can't teach patience by *yelling* to your child, "Will you PLEASE be patient?!"

* "We cannot teach children contentment -- if we complain when the car breaks down, or that the vacation must be canceled."

* "It is nearly impossible to instill respect for authority -- if we break speed limit laws to get them to the band concert on time."

* "We cannot expect children to learn forgiveness -- if we hold grudges against others."

More quotes that jumped out and yelled at *me*:

* "To decide that character will be first in our child's life is to decide that it will be first in our own." -ouch-

* "The Shepherd loves to call His sheep to quiet, lonely paths, to learn how to hear and follow His voice." This is in reference to what Mardy calls 'the Baaah factor'--how easy it is for us to follow along with what all the other 'good homeschoolers' are doing...

* "If we focus on character as the foundation, each child can blossom according to his own timetable, and in his own unique way, and we can more easily help that child find the right path." Wow. Doesn't this just make so much sense?

* There's a section titled "Big Heads/Small Hearts" and it's really full of good stuff! Here are a few more quotes:

* "It is always better for a child's character to be growing at a faster rate than his other talents, whether academic, sports, musical, physical or otherwise. When a child excels in any area other than character first, he can be tempted to believe that he is more gifted, more talented, more deserving that others who are less accomplished than himself. He tends to grow a big head (he knows a lot or can do a lot) and a small heart (he focuses primarily on himself, with little or no concern for the needs of those around him)."

* "Pride can be very subtle, but it is very serious, because when we tolerate, or even entertain it, we actually cut ourselves off from God's grace." (God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5) I never thought about it that way.

* "Character reminds them that true learning is not just what they know -- it is what they do with what they know."

*Oohhh.... and this one is really good! Listen to this:
"To be smart is to know the right answer; to be wise is to know when to speak, and when to remain silent. To be smart is to score high marks and perhaps receive admiration and awards; to be wise is to do one's very best, even when it is not possible to win. Smartness is an asset, but without wisdom, it quickly erodes into a liability." Now, I think that one applies to *everyone*, maybe especially ME! -ouch, Mardy, ouch-

*A few concluding thoughts:
"To decide on character means that we compare ourselves (or our children) not to others, but to God's standards, whereby our weaknesses and failures point out our need of a Savior, and our strengths and talents are recognized as gifts."

* "...if we can help them to grow up with strong character, they will most likely be the best that they can be in whatever they do. What they do will not matter as much as who they are -- and who they are will help guide them to make the best choices in what they do.

(Mardy spends much of this chapter discussing how teaching Character relates to academics and evaluations and she shares her thoughts on the importance of selecting an evaluator who is 'on the same page' and recognizes the value of teaching Character.)

Very good stuff!