Character Counts Twice: Teaching Kids to Do Hard Things

How do we raise children who can do hard things, persevere when life gets difficult, and respond with biblical character when they fail? In this episode of The Heritage Household Podcast, Marissa Rice shares a phrase her family has been using at home: character counts twice. Character matters while we are working toward something difficult, but it matters all over again when we fail, face disappointment, or don't receive the outcome we wanted. As Christian parents, our goal isn't simply to raise children who are successful at childhood. We are preparing future adults, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, church members, homemakers, workers, and faithful followers of Christ. That means our children need opportunities to develop perseverance, diligence, humility, self-control, steadfastness, faithfulness, and courage before they leave our homes. Marissa shares how homeschooling provides daily opportunities for character development and why her family intentionally studies a biblical character quality each week. By teaching children words such as perseverance, diligence, steadfastness, contentment, humility, and self-control, we give them a biblical vocabulary they can recognize when they encounter these truths in Scripture. You'll also hear encouragement for resisting the urge to rescue children from every difficulty, allowing natural consequences to become opportunities for discipleship, teaching children to say "I can't do this yet," and helping them understand that hard does not necessarily mean bad. Because sometimes our children learn more through trying, struggling, failing, repenting, and trying again than they ever could from simply being handed success. In this episode: • Why character can matter even more than success • Teaching children that they can do hard things • Developing perseverance and grit without promoting self-reliance • Using biblical character vocabulary in everyday parenting • How homeschooling can become a classroom for character • Allowing children to experience appropriate struggle and natural consequences • Teaching children how to respond to failure and disappointment • Modeling repentance, perseverance, and humility as mothers • Preparing children for faithful adulthood instead of merely successful childhoods • Building an intentional Christian family culture Resources mentioned in this episode: More Than Virtue A short study of Proverbs 31 that looks beyond a checklist of what a virtuous woman does and explores the heart, wisdom, diligence, faithfulness, character, and fear of the Lord behind her life. https://a.co/d/07YbPQpU Habits of Grace A resource created to help children develop the daily habit of studying God's Word while growing in their understanding of Scripture and biblical vocabulary. https://a.co/d/00BmmbgA Homeschooling Guide Marissa also mentions the homeschool resource her family uses to intentionally incorporate weekly character qualities into their homeschool rhythm. https://raisingrices.com/product/fundamentum-volume-1-a-biblical-foundations-homeschool-guide/ The Heritage Household Blueprint — Coming Fall 2026 The Heritage Household Blueprint is a six-module experience created to help you move from good intentions to an intentional household. Through video teaching and practical workbook exercises, you'll step back and consider your family's mission, culture, discipleship, marriage, home, time, responsibilities, and long-term vision. The goal isn't to copy someone else's household. The Blueprint is designed to bless and challenge you as you prayerfully consider what faithfulness looks like in the unique household God has entrusted to you. More details coming Fall 2026. The Heritage Household Equipping women to faithfully steward their homes, disciple their children, strengthen their families, and build a heritage that serves the Lord for generations to come.