Our values – the core beliefs that drive our behavior – determine our character, ethics, and potential. Thus, the most important thing we can do for our children is to instill in them positive values that will help them become wise, happy, and good. This is no simple matter.

The first step is to achieve greater clarity about what we really believe and what we want our children to believe. Often there's an inconsistency between what we say we value (our stated values) and what we actually value as revealed by our choices (our operative values).

The second step is to recognize the complexity of our value structures. Our values fall into three categories: what we want (preference values), what we think works (pragmatic values), and what we think is right (ethical values). In a person of character, ethical values establish the ground rules for pursuing all others.

Many companies articulate value statements expressing what they stand for. Why shouldn't families do the same by formalizing a "Statement of Family Values" covering such basic matters as:

• Character and ethics
• Faith and spirituality
• Marriage and family relationships
• Friendship
• Education
• Self-reliance
• Attitude
• Service
• Success
• Money and material possessions
• Drinking
• Drugs
• Premarital sex

Formulating and expressing your beliefs about the nature and relative importance of such issues can provide a clear and powerful blueprint for developing your children's character.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.