After the year was over, and all 12 values had been presented, all of the methods articles were placed in the Meridian archives, and the Eyres now write a monthly update and reminder column so that reader parents can stay excited and motivated about teaching each value of the month to their children in the month it comes up.

Remember that any time during the month, you can click on the "family value of the month" icon on the left side of the Meridian home page and go directly to the teaching ideas for the month. You can also get additional teaching ideas for teaching and communicating the value of the month by going to http://www.valuesparenting.com/

The whole idea here is that there is strength (and encouragement) in numbers.  As all Meridian families work on the same value each month, we all take heart in the unity and solidarity of being involved with thousands of other parents--all working with their kids on the same concepts, the same ideas, and focusing on the same value.

New families can come into the program at any time, because there is no particular sequence to the values. You can start with any of them.  Here is the list:

• Justice and Mercy (June)
• Honesty (July)
• Courage (August)
• Peaceability (September)
• Self-Reliance and Potential (October)
• Self-Discipline and Moderation (November)
• Fidelity and Chastity (December)
• Loyalty and Dependability (January)
• Respect (February)
• Love (March)
• Unselfishness and Sensitivity (April)

The June Value--Justice and Mercy

This value carries such importance — and such relevance to our happiness.  Children who learn to obey laws, to treat others fairly, and to be both repentant and forgiving can largely avoid the bitterness, the grudges, and the guilt along with the mental or physical imprisonment that are the consequences of not understanding or living the value of justice and mercy.

We always tell people that Justice and Mercy is the "Gospel value" because the Old Testament lessons on Justice, and the New Testament transition to Mercy both lie at the heart of how God wants us to think, and to live.

Here is an overview of the value and some general ideas about how to teach it to kids.  For detailed, age-specific teaching ideas, go to the values archive (see right sidebar) or click here.

General Guidelines for Teaching Justice and Mercy

Set up simple family laws.   This will help children know their limits and understand what is expected of them.  It is best to do this in two "sessions."  The first session is briefly to discuss with children the importance of laws.  For example, there are government laws about stealing or cheating or hurting others. There are traffic laws that make it safer to be on the roads and so on.  We also need laws in our family so that we can be happier and so that everyone can know what is expected.  Then ask the children for their input.  What laws do they suggest?  Make notes.  Then tell them that you as parent or parents will work on the laws and hold another family session when you are ready to discuss them.

After you (as parents) have decided on your family laws, write them on a chart and hold a second family session to explain them. 

We suggest five simple, one-word laws that children can fully understand and easily remember:             

• PEACE (no hitting, fighting, yelling, whining)
• RESPECT (speak kindly to parents, siblings and friends)
• ASKING (don't go anywhere,or invite anyone over without permission)
• ORDER (no playing on weekends until your room is clean and straight)
• OBEDIENCE (do what parents say).

Be fair and consistent, but also tender and merciful .   Again, teach this value by example. It is important to try to let neither "rewardable" behavior nor punishable behavior go unnoticed. Try to be consistent.  On the other hand, don't make "quick justice" your whole goal.  Always opt for repentance and forgiveness first and only resort to punishment, showing your regret that it is necessary.

Sample method for Pre-Schoolers
Simple Memorizing

This is a good way to help older preschoolers stay conscious of the sharing-caring-fairness mentality. If children do not understand the meaning of the word rhyme , explain it to them and illustrate it with nursery rhymes or simple poems. Then tell them that there are three words that rhyme with each other that help everyone to be happier. They are fair, care, and share . Talk about what each one means, and see if the child can remember all three.

Then, periodically, say to a child (especially when he needs it), “Can you remember the three rhyming words?”

Sample method for Elementary Age Kids
The W.W.J.D. Award

Reward and praise elementary age children for fairness and for being forgiving — and in order to present the perfect example of both qualities, add to your Sunday awards the W.W.J.D. award (What Would Jesus Do?) 

As with each of the other Sunday Awards we have discussed in past months, say, "Who is in the running for the W.W.J.D. award?"  Have children think through the week just passed and call to mind any instance when they shared, let another child go first, took turns, and so on — or when they asked to be forgiven of something or forgave another person.  Give the award accordingly. (Remember that the award can just be a piece of construction paper with the letters W.W.J.D. printed on it.  The winner can hang the "prize" on his bedroom door).

Explain that the best way to earn this award or to keep its concept in mind is to be in the habit of asking yourself (several times a day), “What would Jesus do?"

Sample method for Adolescents
Discussion: “Accepting Justice, Giving Mercy”

This will help older adolescents see the importance of both values and the relationship between the two. At an appropriate time ask older adolescents which they would rather receive — justice or mercy. Try to evolve this into a discussion where you are able to understand together that justice is something we should all be prepared to accept — for justice will always come, in some form, sooner or later. It is the law of the harvest and of cause and effect. Discuss the following quote by Emerson:

After discussing justice, turn to mercy. Explain that while we should accept justice, we should try to give mercy. Do not be interested in making others “pay” for their mistakes. Do not hold grudges or carry a chip on your shoulder. Discuss how these tendencies make us vindictive and vengeful and cause us to poison ourselves and our outlook.

Use the Archives!

The sample methods above are just the tip of the iceberg, go to the archives for dozens more methods for teaching this month's value of Justice and Mercy to kids of each age.  Pick the methods that you think will work for your children.

Good Luck with June's Meridian Family Value of the Month.  See you in July when the value will be the "fulcrum" value of HONESTY

Closing Note: Many have asked if there are actual teaching tools to assist parents in teaching the Meridian family value of the month to their children. The Eyres have been involved with a series of values-teaching CDs called Alexander's Amazing Adventures, which give 5-14 year old children a vicarious (and dramatic) experience with each month's value. By special arrangement, Meridian readers who have been following this column and participating in the value of the month can now receive, as a free gift, the HONESTY CD from this series.  Simply send a self-addressed, stamped 5 X 7 or 8 X 10 envelope (the padded ones are best) to the Eyres at 1098 Augusta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108 and they will send you the gift CD.  (You will need to put three regular stamps or postage on your return envelope.) Please respond only if you are reading and following the column, and please do not ask for more than one copy of the CD.  We hope this gift will help make the value-of-the-month concept even more effective within your family.