Raising Courageous Kids: Eight Steps to Practical Heroism [Paperback]

Charles A. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

Sooner or later, no matter how much we want to protect them, our children will face adversity when we cannot be there to help. Perhaps there will be a bully to deal with at school, an offer of drugs, or a life-threatening accident, attack, or illness. But eventually, in some way, life will demand that our children face fear, make choices, and take appropriate action. This groundbreaking guide explains how courage develops from birth to adolescence and provides solid information and practical ideas to help parents nurture courage at every stage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After 9/11, stories of "everyday heroes" abounded. With that in mind, Smith, who teaches at Kansas State University’s School of Family Studies and Human Services, compiled this collection of anecdotes, tips, research, news accounts and personal experiences to form a beautiful guide for adults seeking to empower children. He directs readers down the path from personal power to willpower, which he posits as the foundation for strength. He provides practical examples of things parents can do to inspire vigilance, evoke empathy and ward off "emotional hijacking," which comes as "emotions spin out of control" when a child is confronted by a potential threat. Smith admonishes readers against accepting complacency (because "passive onlookers contribute to predatory violence"), and encourages reflection as a method of helping anchor children while pointing out the possibilities for the future. In simple language that informs without being overly pedagogical, Smith shares wisdom on character building that should greatly assist parents, educators and those who work to bring out the best in children.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Sorin Books (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893732762
• ISBN-13: 978-1893732766
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for parents with children of all ages, August 20, 2004

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raising Courageous Kids: Eight Steps to Practical Heroism (Paperback)

In the newly released book Raising Courageous Kids: Eight Steps to Practical Heroism (Sorin Books, July 2004), author Charles Smith offers parents a treasure chest of resources for recognizing and nurturing the qualities of courage and heroism within their children.

Looking at developmental stages between birth and adolescence, Raising Courageous Kids provides parents with practical, realistic guidelines for arming children to meet challenges with courage. As an added source of inspiration, Raising Courageous Kids features numerous "Mighty Heart" stories of children who have risen to the level of real-life heroes through tremendous acts of courage.

I strongly recommend that parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone playing a role in the raising of a child or young teen read this book and begin to implement its principles.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compellingly practical, May 13, 2005

By 

Reuben E. Luzano "Major Dad" (Fort Collins, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raising Courageous Kids: Eight Steps to Practical Heroism (Paperback)

I saw this book and two other parenting books reviewed in my diocese's weekly paper. I bought "Raising Courageous Kids..." and another book mentioned in the review; I'm glad I did. Expecting merely an intellectual treatment, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that - more than an eighth into the book - there were very realistic means to implement each of the eight steps discussed by Mr. Smith. This is the first book I've read from cover-to-cover in the past few years. What a way to get back into one of my favorite pasttimes!
I certainly would have appreciated having this book to raise my two daughters who are now young adults. The older one just made me a grandfather; my girlfriend became a grandmother a year and a half ago. These two young people are the reasons for my buying the book. Your first reviewer said that anyone connected with raising or regularly interacting with a child needs to get this book. I heartily agree!