Prev: Reviews of 5 sites to use w/kids this summer
Next: An Online bookstore
From: Lenona on 24 Jun 2010 16:52
Given MM's wisdom on this subject as well as the wisdom of the
commenters, why, you might wonder, did anyone ever think it was a good
idea NOT to apologize to kids?

http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/06/22/1090315/apologize-when-youre-wrong.html

The letter writer seemed to think that yes, one should sometimes
apologize when one is wrong, but not always. MM responded, in part:

"...........children’s security does not come from believing that
their parents are infallible. It comes from observing that they are
reliable, loving and fair.

"By maintaining the posture that you are right when you are wrong, you
would not only be exposing yourself as unfair, but you would be
teaching them to bluster through their errors, rather than to correct
them......."

(snip)

This reminded me of something I'd posted in 2004:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.books.childrens/browse_thread/thread/ab3732f8cda48421/6d51a33aa6dcdb1e?hl=en&q=%22The+Wonder+Years%22+rec.arts.books.childrens

(this was about the embarrassing movie version of "A Wrinkle in Time")

Excerpt:

>> I would
>> love to see more movies in general where know-it-all kids are forced to
>> realize
>> that adults really do know what they're doing most of the time and kids
>> should
>> listen more. See OotP where the Slytherin Headmaster painting scolds
>> Harry.)

>Linda M. Young: Ah, yes, but it seems you can't make a kids' movie today in which most
>of the adults are sympathetic (unless they're elderly or are what we
>used to call when I was a kid "with it" and "anti-establishment").


Well, they don't have to be sympathetic. They just have to be right.
One minor example I can think of is the TV show "The Wonder Years."
Dad wasn't always right, nor was he properly humble when proved wrong,
but for the most part, he stuck to his guns without explanation or
apology for any bruised feelings when he WAS right. And the kids
learned to accept that instead of sulking over it, even if it did take
years.

(snip)


Lenona.
 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: Reviews of 5 sites to use w/kids this summer
Next: An Online bookstore