choices and other dangers; and the
book presents 12 universal values,
one for each month, so that parents
can focus on one value at a time.
But here is the extra part that we want
to share with grandparents: After the
book had been out for a couple of
years, a team of great storytellers and
musicians took the 12 values from the
book and created a simply marvelous
set of audio "adventures"—elaborate
and highly entertaining stories that help
kids actually experience each value
vicariously and
embed it deeply
into their souls. We
have found that
when grandparents
give these stories to
their grandchildren
(and perhaps listen
to them together)
a real bond of
shared values and
ongoing discussion
about these values
takes place.
grandchild's attention on one single
value each month. And it gives you
the opportunity as a grandparent
to talk about the month’s value
multiple times during the month.
The values we teach our grandchildren
may be the greatest legacy we give
them. Sometimes we make the mistake
of thinking that kids will just absorb and
imitate the values that we exemplify or
that they see in us or in their parents.
But it doesn’t work like that. Children
need to understand the meaning and
the definition of
each value, and
to have examples
of how to apply it
in their everyday
lives at school and
with their peers.
Stories are the best
way to provide this
because in a good
story, particularly
one with music,
drama and
adventure, kids can
actually experience
values and their
consequences
vicariously and
the story becomes
something of a case
study, preparing
the children for
the real situations
where they will make the right
choices and take the safe path.
“Children need
to understand
the meaning and
the definition of
each value, and
to have examples
of how to apply it
in their everyday
lives at school
and with their
peers.”
To give you an idea
of the creativity
and power of
these stories, go to
valuesparenting.
com, click on the
Alexander’s Amazing
Adventures tab
in the middle of
the homepage, and then click the play
button for the HONESTY adventure.
As you listen, you will understand
how influential and powerful these
stories can be in helping kids to form
their own set of values, and you will
see how entertaining the stories are.
(We find that kids will listen to them
over and over and as they do, each
value becomes more real to them.)
The other 11 stories are on values
like RESPECT, SELF-RELIANCE, and
COURAGE. Once you and your
grandchildren have heard one, you
will want to hear them all. But don't
rush through them! Remember that
the program is designed to focus your
It behooves us all, as grandparents, to
think seriously about the legacy we
want to leave to our grandkids, and
the most lasting legacy of all may well
be the values that we teach them.
Summer is a good time to start!
Richard Eyre and Linda Eyre are the
New York Times #1 best-selling authors
of Teaching Your Children Values, as
well as a dozen other parenting books.
They are now focusing on writing
and speaking to grandparents (see
lifeinfullcruise.com and lifeinfullonq.
com). Their latest book is Life in Full:
Maximizing Your Longevity and Legacy.
2017 SUMMER
21