Dr. Catherine Newman, witty parenting writer and etiquette columnist, provided adults with tips and advice to nudge children into independence and teach them how to master chores, express themselves clearly and behave generously toward others.
Newman has authored novels, nonfiction and articles about children, parents, teenagers and relationships. She is the etiquette columnist at Real Simple and the academic department coordinator of the Creative Writing Center at Amherst College.
Dr Newman shared the habits and skills we need to teach our children, and practice ourselves:
- Look up, and put the phone down.
- Teach your child to be curious about others and lean into your curiosity about them.
- Pay attention -think about what it feels like when someone is really listening.
- Give everyone the benefit of the doubt, assume the best, give others the space to make a mistake.
- Get good at compromising. Other people are different than you.
- Problem solve rather than battling it out. Practice saying 'maybe I was wrong'. Cultivate an attitude of helpfulness, be your most generous self. You will make mistakes, apologize and move forward. The parent-child relationship
- Your child is always growing, and changing -practice flexibility. Work to build trust, your relationship is more important than being right.
The full-length video of this event can be found on our YouTube channel HERE
TAKEAWAY
Glenbard Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Josh Chambers co -hosted the event and shared the following takeaway:
"Dr Newman shared the habits and skills we need to teach our children, and practice ourselves.
Be present. Pay attention -think about what it feels like when someone is really listening. Look up, and put the phone down. Teach your child to be curious about others and lean into your curiosity about them. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt, assume the best, and give others the space to make a mistake. Get good at compromising. Other people are different than you. Problem solve rather than battling it out. Practice saying 'maybe I was wrong'. Cultivate an attitude of helpfulness, be your most generous self. You will make mistakes, apologize and move forward. The parent-child relationship child is always growing, and changing -practice flexibility. Work to build trust,your relationship is more important than being right."
RESOURCES
Catherine Newman’s website HERE
The Morning Books Show: What Can I Say By Catherine Newman HERE
