Parenting with a Story: Real-Life Lessons in Character for Parents and Children to Share

Tell a young person what to do—play fair, be yourself, stick to the task at hand—and most will tune you out. But show them how choices and consequences play out in the real world, with real people, and the impact will be far more profound.

Parenting with a Story gathers 101 narratives from people around the world and from all walks of life, reflecting unexpected moments of clarity about who they are and how they should treat others. The lessons illuminate the power of character—integrity, curiosity, creativity, grit, kindness, patience, gratitude, and more—to prepare us for anything.

Sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes funny, always compelling, these stories impart wisdom and help steer choices about:

Resisting peer pressure • Remaining open-minded • Being humble • Making courageous decisions • Standing by their word • Bouncing back from failure • Showing compassion • Picking friends wisely • And more

Stories help shape who we are and who we aspire to become. Share these, discuss them, and watch your child grow into the adult you’ll be proud of.

Free companion discussion guide on the author's site: Lead with a Story