The Biggest Job We'll Ever Have: The Hyde School Program for Character-Based Education and Parenting

In this results-driven era of over-zealous soccer parents and SAT boot camps for kids, The Biggest Job We'll Ever Have offers parents and teachers a fresh and compelling message: a child's character is more important than his or her achievements. The authors are a teacher at and the CEO of the Hyde Schools, a group of private schools dedicated to character development and family growth. The Gaulds leverage their experiences to create a wise and workable manual for balancing character, achievement, and purpose in family life.

The book sharply contrasts "achievement culture" with "character culture" by providing 10 priorities for the development of a child's moral fiber. These include valuing "truth over harmony," "attitude over aptitude," and "principles over rules." Each priority is explored via crisp commentary, vivid stories from Hyde parents and students, family exercises, activities, and journaling assignments. One chapter describes ways for parents to explore their attraction to the achievement bias of our culture. This is a practical and persuasive book--one that will convince readers of the authors' credo: "Character is inspired, it is not imparted." --Barbara Mackoff