Think It, Don’t Say It! is one of the stories contained in the second book of Kerri’s popular series “Rules of the Game”.
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How many times have you been out in a public place and your child will say something that, while it may be the truth, makes you wish the ground would open up and swallow you?
Well, I don’t believe that shaming children when they say things that may be embarrassing is a very constructive practice. Instead, I focus on teaching them a more appropriate way that is far more productive and not so damaging to their self-esteem.
I realized my children did not deliberately say things to hurt other people; they simply spoke the truth as they saw it.
The problem was that my daughter spoke this ‘truth’ quite often, and it was often extremely embarrassing. Yes, I could have easily yelled at her and punished her, but what would have been the point? What would that have achieved? In a child’s mind, they are simply stating a fact. If they see that someone is overweight and mention it out loud, they’re stating a fact – they aren’t trying to be rude, they just lack awareness of ‘social rules’ and etiquette – nor do they have the ability to hold their tongue and think it quietly.
In this story I validate that what they are saying may indeed be fact, yet I also help the child to learn empathy and become aware of how the other person may feel hearing them say that.
As part of the “Rules of the Game” series, this is my gift to you – it also gives you a taste of some of the other stories in the series as well. As you read through these books, you will notice that I use very empowering words and very successful, strong and amazing life lessons, for children to grow with.