Parenting with a Story

Real-Life Lessons in Character for Parents and Children to Share

De: Paul Smith

Narrado por: Paul Smith

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
• And more

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.

©2015 Paul Smith (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Great tool for parents!

What did you like best about this story?

Being a parent has many challenges. One of them is that most children don’t like being told what to do! Parenting with a Story helps solve that problem as it equips parents with a much more effective tool for helping our kids to learn and make decisions for themselves. My favourite aspect of the book relates to building character in kids without doing it from the land of ‘should’ or pushing them forward with a ‘right and wrong’ approach. How do we enable kids to make their own choices, learn from their own mistakes and develop their own character? With story.

Many of the stories in Parenting with a Story are probably more appropriate for older kids and teenagers. However, the real value in this book is the way Paul Smith models storytelling. He helps us to frame stories appropriately, pulling out the valuable lessons and showcasing the power of stories from every aspect of life. Once we have developed the skill, we can use story with kids of all ages.

I have already started taking a story approach with my 9 year old son and not only do I see him making better choices but we are enjoying the discussions that come after the story too!
Decrease the conflict and increase the conversation with Parenting with a Story!

Reminds me of being with my Dad

Where does Parenting with a Story rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've read about 10 parenting books in the past 5 years and Parenting With A Story is my favorite book to date. Paul Smith delivers even better than he did with Leading With A Story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Parenting with a Story?

My favorite story in this book is where a kid attends a business lunch with his father. His father ordered a "girly" lunch and was jeered by his male coworkers. After much teasing,his father stuck with his decision. That single instance continually gives strength and courage to his son to blaze his own path in life.

What does Paul Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I always love listening to a book narrated by the author. Paul Smith keeps the reader engaged by adding his own personal emphasis on the stories he tells.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

One of the things I love about this book is the stories are instantly applicable in life. And because they are stories, they are easy to remember. One story talks about a boy who wanted a sidewalk between his neighborhood and his school. His teacher asked him a simple question, "What are you going to do about that?" The boy wrote a letter to the mayor and a sidewalk was put in. I've used this same question with my daughter twice in the last week. It is so empowering for her.

Any additional comments?

The part I love most about this book is it reminds me of my Dad. I lost my Dad just over a year ago and hearing the stories in this book takes me back to the times when I messed up or did not know what to do and my Dad told me a story. Thanks Paul!