Building Character

Character is about having strong values and morals. It’s about being a good person, even when no one is watching. Learn ways to nurture those strengths of character known to build happy, healthy, successful young people.

Essential Reads

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist on Why Being a Student Reporter Builds Character

Jun 16, 2022

A hidden path to building character: being a reporter.

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There Is No Time Limit on Building Identity

Jul 19, 2026

There is no time limit on building identity. It is something that will take place throughout your teen's life.

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Notice How You Talk About Mistakes

Jul 19, 2026

Teens listen to what is said as well as what is not said, and many learn to fear mistakes when they see errors as potential catastrophes.

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Failure Is a Temporary State

Jul 19, 2026

When your teen makes a mistake, they don’t earn a permanent label of failure. Teach your teen to bounce back by reminding them that this too shall pass while helping them move beyond the mistake.

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Why You Should Let Your Teen Fail

Jul 03, 2026

What if we reframe failure by seeing its positives? (Yes, failure has benefits.) Failing means your teen took a risk.

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Help Teens Develop Self-Control

Jul 03, 2026

Teens demonstrate responsibility, and you put them in-charge of their life more and more until they’re ready for adulthood.

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5 Ways To Ensure You Matter

Jun 22, 2026

If parents want to instill a sense of “mattering” in their children, they must first feel they matter themselves.

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