Thursday, September 25, 2014

How Can I Get My Kid to Be More Respectful?

Ah...one of the questions all parents ask at one time or another. I believe it's hard to raise respectful kids these days, and we parents need all the help we can get.

Take for instance 24-hour kid's cable shows. When I was young, there were only certain times that kids shows were aired; right before school started, right after school ended, and on Saturday (and sometimes Sunday) mornings. NOW...kids can watch a show at any time either via cable, Netflix, Hulu, On Demand, directly from the TV websites, etc. It's daunting!

And what are writers writing about on some of these kids shows? Many of the adult characters are shown as complete idiots and the show is pretty much governed by the kids. I cringe each time my teenagers watch a show where the adult (usually a principal or a teacher) says a line that no adult would ever say. Why do writers do this? Why do they feel the need to give kids a false sense of empowerment at the expense of another character (either an adult or a peer)?

When kids watch TV with adults saying/doing stupid things and with the kid characters correcting or making derogatory comments toward the adults...well...the seeds of disrespect start to plant themselves into those viewers.

I'm not insinuating that all TV is what is making a generation of disrespectful kids. But it sure doesn't help to have stupid sounding and acting adults as the role models on some of these TV shows.

Here are some tips that we use with our kids:

  • Instill in kids the habit of using positive words toward family members, friends, and neighbors.
  • Set a good example of being respectful toward others by being prepared, organized, and on time for appointments.
  • Kids are watching you all of the time and mimic your behavior. Be conscious of this when driving, standing in line at a store, and on the phone.


What do you think? How do you help your kids act respectfully?

Thursday, September 4, 2014

A New 5-Star Review for Are You Respectful Today?!

We are thrilled with this new 5-star review for Book 2 in our Becoming a Better You! series, Are You Respectful Today? from Readers' Favorite! Please read and pass it on!


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Start the School Year Building a Foundation for Success!

As parents, we want nothing more than for our kids to be successful. In the High 5 for Character world, success = happiness...BUT happiness is not brought about from status, material items, or having an abundance of money.

Happiness is brought about by confidence, respect, empathy, honesty, and gratefulness.

Help the kids in your life build a great foundation for HAPPINESS (and SUCCESS!).

The first two books in our series Becoming a Better You! Are You Confident Today? and Are You Respectful Today? are now available.






 Our third book, Are You Empathetic Today?, is on it's way to the printer and will be here in October!