Kids & Family
Parents Model Human Interaction!
Are we teaching our kids how to interact? Do they know how to interact face to face? Learn how to model putting down electronics and talk.
I just had a great time bringing my five children to the dentist. It was a great time because multiple people complimented my children on their good behavior, and I had a great conversation with a complete stranger.
In this day and age of the Internet where everyone is always connected, wouldn’t you agree that our children are missing out on some important stuff that we used to all just take for granted, like talking to people without electronics being involved?
The kids all did a great job at the dentist, and when we got safely back in the car for the ride home, my kids asked me why I was speaking to strangers again. I giggled because they thought it was weird that I would talk to someone I didn’t already know. Furthermore, they also thought it was strange that I so easily participated in a conversation with a complete stranger that lasted over an hour.
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I looked at my kids, in bemusement not fully understanding what was so odd about me talking to other people. To tell you the truth, I think it would be to humanity’s benefit to once in a while put down our electronics or whatever else it is that is keeping us so busy, and take time to notice and converse with one another. There really are no strangers out there; just people that we haven’t met yet.
I have to be honest with you though. Believe it or not, I too, at least initially, had my face buried in something at the dentist office, also. I was working on my next book and wasn’t looking to talk to anyone. However, he said, “Hello” and the delightful conversation just took off from there.
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Now, as my Granddaddy always said, “Go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Parents, don’t be afraid to be a bit old fashion and show your kids how the whole human interaction thing is done. And once again parents, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…
Daniel Blanchard is a New Britain Schoolteacher, and bestsellingt and award-winning author, speaker, and educator. Dan is has been featured in over 100 televsion and radio shows, as well as several of the World’s Top Ten Podcast. Dan has a weekly TV show. Learn more about Dan at: www.GranddaddysSecrets.com