These days it seems like parents and children are overwhelmed with things to do and are running in all kinds of directions, between work, after school activities, sports, TV, cell phones, texting, computer games, etcetera, etcetera. There needs to be some time every day to block the world out and just be together, which is the best time to talk with your child about positive character. Make it a firm policy to have every dinner together with no distractions (like TV), or if not possible, designate an hour of "together time" every evening. No matter how much they may beg, children don't really need the newest computer game or tween star's CD. They need you.

Many children's books contain a moral message or lesson about positive behavior. Look for books with great stories that do a good job of talking about values and will enable you to continue to the conversation once the book is read. Find books on historic and contemporary heroes from all walks of life – Benjamin Franklin, Mahatma Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, Nelson Mandela, Alex Scott who made a lemonade stand famous – the list is endless. Heroes offer wonderful life lessons and examples of people who put their positive values into action.

What television programs does your child watch? What websites are they allowed to surf? Do they hear/see good language? Do people or characters exhibit positive character? Today, kids are overwhelmed with messages coming to them at light speed that are often contradictory and confusing. Kids are often exposed to violence, sexually suggestive situations and examples of people who "get away with things". They also see or hear a lot of meaningless stories about celebrities, who have accomplished little or nothing of value in their life.

Keep tuned in to what your child is watching on TV, and try to put your home computer in a communal place, like the kitchen. Use the many moments that TV and the Internet provide to talk with your child about good choices, and the consequences of our decisions.