Instilling A Sense Of Integrity In Your Child
April 1, 2002
Almost a sequel to the authors'Field Guide to the American Teenager, this book is aimed at helping parents instill a moral sense in children ages five to 12. The authors briefly introduce the concept of integrity, defining it as "the compass within each of us... only with integrity do our journeys achieve meaning." Each of the chapters begins with a specific case study and dialogue between parent and child illustrating a specific point from lying to dealing with illness to believing in Santa Claus to handling bullies. The authors show how the parents handle the particular situation and then offer some suggestions for how to deal with variations of the basic situation. While many parents, especially first-timers, will find the authors' tone reassuring and the advice somewhat helpful, the book is less penetrating than readers might have hoped. The authors don't offer enough suggestions for parents; instead, they're more concerned with explaining how the parents might feel rather than offering prescriptive advice on how parents should handle some difficult conversations. Parenting presents many challenges and there are few absolute right or wrong ways to handle situations, but given the stresses of today's working parent, a more hard-hitting approach would have made for a more useful book.
March 15, 2002
Riera and Di Prisco, coauthors of "Field Guide to the American Teenager "(2000), turn their focus on integrity, the internal sense of right and wrong parents want so much to instill in their children. Building a sense of integrity in children doesn't occur by happenstance, but can be consciously and creatively achieved, the authors pronounce. They advise parents on how to lay the foundation in young children to ensure development of integrity by adolescence, when they are most confronted with ethical and moral decisions. The authors examine a variety of issues related to discerning right and wrong in situations ranging from after-school fights and overwrought emotions at sports events to cheating, emerging sexuality, and shoplifting. Each chapter includes representative narratives of parents and children confronting ethical issues in everyday life and advice to parents on taking advantage of these incidents to help form a strong sense of knowing right from wrong. Parents can use listening, praise, and discipline, as well as punishment and the "integrity conversation." A helpful resource for parents. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)