Now that you have talked to your child about protests and fairness and then followed up with a discussion about the importance of being a person of honor and good conscience, it is time for a talk about racism. Why take the time to talk about racism? Because it is wrong, it is un-American and it continues to be a …
Parent Resources on Inclusiveness, Racism and Protests
Parenting Articles Center for Racial Justice in Education. Collection of resources for understanding and talking to kids about racial and social justice issues from real experts. Raising Race Conscious Children. Ideas about talking to your kids about race. Parent Magazine has a couple of good articles on talking about racism and black lives matter and on fighting hate at different …
Talking to Children about Public Protests: Continuing the Conversation
It won’t be enough to just help your child understand the protests and rioting that followed the killing of George Floyd. (See previous blog.) This is a profound teaching moment about living a moral life. Morals are the bedrock of character. Morals are the wellspring of right and wrong. Not just when it is convenient. Not when it is easy. …
Preparing Teens for the 21st Century Work Place: Saving Grace
Timeless universal values represented by an employee’s integrity will serve to distinguish them in an increasingly personal work environment. Curiously (and, maybe tellingly) discussions of important 21st Century work skills do not reference employees integrity (or the morals, ethics, values and character that compose it) as one of those important skills. And yet, without integrity (and a culture of integrity), …
More Questions (for your teenager) from Steubenville, Ohio
The previous column presented questions to generate a conversation between you and your teenager about issues raised by the rape of a teenage girl in Steubenville, Ohio. The questions continue. Responsibility Whose fault is it when someone is attacked? What if they were saying really insulting things to the person who attacked them? What if they were walking around in …
Questions (for your teenager) from Steubenville, Ohio
“Many of the things we learned during this trial that our children were saying and doing were profane, were ugly . . .[Parents need] to have discussions about how you talk to your friends, how you record things on the social media so prevalent today and how you conduct yourself when drinking is put upon you by your friends.” Judge …
Respect, Consent and Teenage Sex Reflections on the Stuebenville, Ohio Teenage Rape Case
“Many of the things we learned during this trial that our children were saying and doing were profane, were ugly . . .[Parents need] to have discussions about how you talk to your friends, how you record things on the social media so prevalent today and how you conduct yourself when drinking is put upon you by your friends.” Judge …
Fostering Character Development in Teens: Courage, pt 2
Notice it. What you characterize as courageous is important. Who you consider to be heroic is important. Again, while heroism is the easiest to spot it is the least relevant to helping your kid be courageous in their everyday life. Heroism is rare by definition. Courage is all around you. It is on the news. It is in your house. …
Fostering Character Development in Teens: Courage, part 1
def: (noun) continues to pursue what is right regardless of threat, difficulty, danger, or pain Courage is one of the more dramatic Character-istics. One form, heroism, is immediately recognized by others. These are the instances of rescue and protection and sacrifice that rise above the normal events of our lives. While heroism is admirable, it is not achievable by most …
The Heart and Soul of the Next Generation by Michael Bradley
I get really emotional thinking about people who make heroic sacrifices. It is something that maintains my hope in humanity. The odd thing is I am not talking about the heroes you read about in the news. You are not likely to hear of the ones I mean. They are quiet and unassuming. Their heroism is the ordinary, profound sort …