a Child is like a tree
like a tree - the child starts young
takes root wherever possible and then...
is fed...

Parents might feed love
Friends might teach loyalty
Teachers may instill discipline
Bullies may destroy confidence
and so forth.. until such time that the TREE must bear FRUIT and the QUALITY is determined by what the roots were drinking for the previous growing years.
5 strategies plus a bonus tip were blogged about here
Let's delve further.
showing COMPASSION : it may be too late to teach this one, if a relative is severely ill and the child exhibits no interest in the events.
being FAITHFUL : how will kids really understand what this means? This is the manifestation of one's INTEGRITY.
the GENTLE giant : responsible with power and using it for good
SELF-CONTROL : they are constantly shiny baubles and distractions and worst of all .... addictions.
the growing tree can not control what it is fed - it drinks whatever nutrient source is most readily available.
we would love to be part of the water.
GRACIE DURHAM