Parenting Archives

Angela Duckworth: Grit—Book Review

Is Angela Duckworth’s Grit worth all the hype? Is having grit really more important than intelligence or natural talent? Angela Duckworth’s book Grit was published in 2016 and became an instant bestseller—remaining on the New York Times bestseller list for years. Although there have been many criticisms of the book, many swear that Duckworth’s research is revolutionary. Continue reading for our Grit book review including the book’s context, impact, and critical reception.

“How” and “Why” Questions: Which Are More Valuable?

Are “how” or “why” questions more valuable? Which one is more often used in the education system? Although asking both “how” and “why” questions is necessary, “why” questions are more important because they get the recipient thinking. “Why” questions are slow and difficult and increase one’s critical thinking skills. Sadly, they’re not asked enough in schools. Here’s why “why” questions are such valuable learning tools.

The Advantages of Extracurricular Activities for Children

What are the advantages of extracurricular activities? How does engaging your children in extracurricular activities help them develop grit? In her book Grit, Angela Duckworth discusses the many benefits extracurricular activities have in the development of grit. They help children cultivate the four elements of grit, develop high self-esteem, and improve academic performance. Keep reading to learn how extracurriculars can help your child develop grit.

The 3 Influences in Growth Mindset Development

How do you develop a growth mindset? Is it something you can practice or does it come from experience? A growth mindset means that you believe you have the ability to improve over time. A fixed mindset is believing that your intelligence and ability to learn are relatively set. In her book Grit, Angela Duckworth says that fixed or growth mindset development is underpinned by three factors: 1) childhood feedback, 2) habits of thinking, 3) experiences of overcoming adversity. Here are the three factors that determine whether you have a growth or fixed mindset.

Raising Children With Grit: Tips for Parents

What exactly is “grit”? Why is it important to cultivate grit in children? The trait of grit, as described by Angela Duckworth, is the combination of passion and perseverance. It’s an important trait to have because it’s one of the biggest predictors of success. If you want your children to become successful, you should raise them with grit from the beginning. Here is what Angela Duckworth has to say about raising children with grit.

Match Quality: How Kids Can Choose Fulfilling Careers

What is “match quality”? How can you tell if an activity is a good fit for you or not? How does match quality relate to choosing a career? In psychology, “match quality” refers to whether or not an activity is a good fit for someone. While growing up, it’s important for children and teens to have the freedom to try and experiment with a broad range of activities so they can discover which one has the best match quality for them—this will help them choose a more fulfilling career later in life. Here is how match quality can help kids

How Much Sleep Do Kids Need? Psychologist Explains

Do kids and teens need more or less sleep than adults? How much sleep do kids need for optimum cognitive development? In his book Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker discusses the different amounts of sleep the body requires at different stages in life. As it turns out, there can be serious developmental implications if a child doesn’t get enough sleep at night. Here is what Matthew Walker had to say about sleep in children and teens.

Codependent Caretaking: Signs to Look Out For

What is a codependent caretaker? How can you tell if you are one? Sometimes, actions that seem generous and kind can actually be insidious. Genuinely caring for someone is not the same thing as caretaking, which is defined as giving care to others with your own needs in mind. From there, it’s a slippery slope towards codependent caretaking. Learn more about codependent caretaking and why it happens below.

Mutual Reinforcement Is Damaging Your Organization

What is mutual reinforcement in the context of management? How can blaming others for problems put both the accuser and the accused “in the box”? In the Arbinger Institute’s leadership fable Leadership and Self-Deception, they discuss why blaming others only causes problems to grow. This made the main character Tom realize that he is guilty of mutual reinforcement both at work and home. Continue reading to see what the Arbinger Institute has to say on mutual reinforcement and blame.

Understanding the Father-Son Relationship

How important is the father-son relationship? What are the consequences of a bad father-son relationship? In the book No More Mr. Nice Guy, Dr. Robert Glover explains why a healthy father-son relationship is so important. During his time as a psychologist, he noticed that a lot of his male patients struggled with their sense of masculinity if they had a bad father-son relationship. Learn about the effects of a bad father-son relationship below.