Parenting With a Story: Real Life Lessons in Character for Parents - and Children to Shar

Tell a young person what to do - play fair, be yourself, stick to the task at hand - and most will tune you out. But show them how choices and consequences play out in the real world, with real people, and the impact will be far more profound.Parenting with a Story gathers 101 narratives from people around the world and from all walks of life, reflecting unexpected moments of clarity about who they are and how they should treat others. The lessons illuminate the power of character - integrity, curiosity, creativity, grit, kindness, patience, gratitude, and more - to prepare us for anything.Sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes funny, always compelling, these stories impart wisdom and help steer choices about:

• Resisting peer pressure
• Remaining open-minded
• Being humble
• Making courageous decisions
• Standing by their word
• Bouncing back from failure
• Showing compassion
• Picking friends wisely

Stories help shape who we are and who we aspire to become. Share these, discuss them, and watch your child grow into the adult you'll be proud of.

List of contents

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

PART I: Who You Are

1. Ambition 11

2. Open-Mindedness 20

3. Creativity 28

4. Curiosity and Learning 33

5. Courage 43

6. Integrity 55

7. Self-Reliance 64

8. Grit 74

9. Hard Work and Struggles in Life 83

10. Self-Confidence 93

11. Self-Discipline: Money and Delayed Gratification 98

12. Health 110

13. Positive Mental Attitude 118

14. Dealing with Loss 131

PART II: How You Treat Other People

15. Kindness 143

16. Patience 157

17. Fairness and Justice 165

18. Humility 172

19. Respect for Others 179

20. Friendship 192

21. Social Intelligence 208

22. Forgiveness and Gratitude 216

23. Appreciation of Beauty 226

24. Getting Started 231

An Invitation 239

Appendix: Story Matrix 241

Additional Reading 249

Notes 251

Index 255

About the author

PAUL SMITH is a dedicated father of two and an expert trainer in leadership and storytelling techniques. As the author of the popular Lead with a Story, he has seen his work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, The Washington Post, Success, and Investor's Business Daily, among others.

Summary

“Play nice!” “Be kind!” “Don’t do that!” Every day, it seems half our conversations with young people is made up of commands dealing with character and niceties--all issues that need to be addressed and not ignored. But how is it working? Do you find yourself back at square one the next day, with a child acting as though they had no idea they shouldn’t be lying? In Parenting with a Story, author Paul Smith, one of the world’s leading experts in organizational storytelling, shows that when stories are used to illustrate to children how choices and consequences play out in the real world, with real people, the impact will be far more profound than the relentless commands that are forgotten or ignored as soon as the parent turns away. This collection of 101 narratives from people around the world and from all walks of life includes lessons that illuminate the power of character, integrity, curiosity, creativity, grit, kindness, patience, gratitude, and other essential characteristics every parent should be trying to instill in their children. Sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes funny, always compelling, these stories impart wisdom and help steer choices about: • Resisting peer pressure• Remaining open-minded• Being humble• Making courageous decisions• Standing by their word• Bouncing back from failure• Showing compassion• Picking friends wisely• And moreThroughout all of history, stories have been used to help shape who we are and who we aspire to come. But effective storytelling doesn’t have to be reserved for teachers, writers, and preachers. As a parent, learn how to share stories, discuss them with your child, and watch your child grow into the adult every parent would be proud of.

Product details

• Authors: Dr. Paul Smith, Paul Smith
• Publisher: Amacon Book Division
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.11.2014
• EAN: 9780814433577
• ISBN: 978-0-8144-3357-7
• No. of pages: 272
• Series: Amacom; UK Professional Business Management / Business
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Family; SELF-HELP / Creativity, SELF-HELP / Emotions