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. …
Creating a Family Motto
A motto is a powerful statement of core values. It is a mantra that serves to remind people of their commitment to shared principles. It is a mechanism of accountability; a standard by which actions are measured. While all families have core values, many families don’t make those core values clear and explicit. Creating a family motto can be a …
Thoughts on Anxiety, School Shooters and Being a Good Person
Some time ago, I spent an evening with middle and high school parents as part of a panel discussion on stress and anxiety last year. It was supposed to be about stress and anxiety in kids, though for some reason we kept turning to PARENT anxiety and stress. (Imagine that!). The frequency of anxiety in children and teens has been …
Thirteen Things to Talk to Your Teen About 13 Reasons Why A Parent’s Guide Episode 10: Side 5B Taking Responsibility & Comforting a Grieving Friend
[Note: It has recently come to light that the author of the book this video series was based on has been expelled from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for violation of their harassment policy as reported by Deadline.] Thirteen Reasons Why, a video series based on a best-selling teen novel, is the story of a 17 year old …
Thirteen Things to Talk to Your Teen About 13 Reasons Why: Episode 5-Respecting Boundaries & Gay Shaming
[Note: It has recently come to light that the author of the book this video series was based on has been expelled from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for violation of their harassment policy as reported by Deadline.] Thirteen Reasons Why, a video series based on a best-selling teen novel, is the story of a 17 year old …
Family Time Movie Theater: Dissenting Opinions
Here are some movies that will show your kids how to disagree, and stand up for a principle (and, in one instance, fail dramatically). It’s a Henry Fonda movie-thon! 12 Angry Men (NR, probably PG) Twelve men enter a jury room to determine the guilt or innocence of a teenage boy accused of murder. Initially, only one juror votes not …
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), …
Preparing Teens for the 21st Century Work Place: Patience
Your kids will be growing to adulthood in a century where the complexity of technology and the pace of change is unlike anything humans have ever experienced. This is one in a series of columns devoted to identifying core competencies that will help teens be successful in this 21st century workplace. With the pervasive emphasis on speed, immediate results and …