Becca Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Lately, I'm running out of ideas and I want to try a new parenting tactic. My step-daughter is 10. She's turned this corner where she thinks that if she brags that she's better or has more than others that she will gain friends, even to the point where's she's lying to make herself sound better. She pushes herself to center-stage, often at the cost of others' feelings. And try as I might, I cannot seem to get through to her. It's just so hard to watch this daily, especially as she interacts with her siblings. And doubly, because my youngest daughters mimic this behavior, as they look up to their older sister. Compounding this, I've tried talking to her mother, who's a close friend. But her mom doesn't see anything wrong with the behavior (thinks it's "just a stage"), so it doesn't get corrected unless she's in our home. So I'm going to try something new, but I need some help. She loves to read. She's slightly above the "going into 5th grade" reading level. I'm looking for books about girls her age or slightly older that learn the lessons that bragging won't win you friends and such. That having something someone else doesn't have doesn't make you better than they are. Kind of a "moral of the story" type book. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisha Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I'll ask my elementary school librarian SIL this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDecker Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Oh Becca thats a tough one. Have you checked any of the Judy Bloom books to see if they work? I see if my SIL can think of any as she has two girls 13 & 11. In the meantime I think you are doing the right thing by trying to correct it, it's not a stage or phase it could be very painful for everyone if she doesn't learn to be more humble. What about the Chicken Soup Series? They have some great books and are short stories so faster to read. It could start some great discussions for the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandiC. Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Becca, I think any of the American Girl books fill that bill. They showcase values and family and friendships and also get a little history in the mix. Many bookstores carry them and of course you can order online. I've enjoyed reading them after Bailey is done with them. They have nonfiction books too, also making basic values a priority. Bailey's favorites have been the Kit Kittredge and Samantha series. But the Molly McIntire ones are pretty good too. Gives us lots to talk. sounds like this is what you need, an opening to discuss important things without lecturing or nagging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becca Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Oh good suggestions! I didn't think about the Chicken Soup ones, Dee, but those might be perfect. And Sandi, she's re-reading an AG book right now. I'll have to do some research and see if one of those fits the moral I want to teach her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyChron Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Pollyanna and Anne of Green Gables are great stories and have wonderful lessons to teach... They are older titles, but still wonderful to read. Even Harry Potter has some of these themes running through them (especially the first one). Hermione has some trouble with this and has a hard time making friends because of it and the other characters that have this character trait are the "villains". Hopefully she doesn't want to be a villain. Good luck! I'll try to think on this some more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelaNussbaum Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I would have suggested Judy Blume also. She writes about YA issues in almost all her books. I remember getting "Are you there God its me Margaret" and loving it as a young girl. Read the back of them though. Some of her books go into some really tough issues like teenage pregnancy and such. If you go to the library, talk to the "childrens" department librarian, she will have more insight to that level of books. HUGS Angela N. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbi Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 We all read Judy Blume didn't we? LOL Sorry I have no sugguestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scraphappen Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 We all read Judy Blume didn't we? LOL Sorry I have no sugguestions I'd say we did!! I hope you find the right book and get this bad behaviour corrected soon. A good book for you is Barbra Colerosso( spelling might be wrong) She is a great parenting Guru I look back at my book all the time. She talkes about how to talk to kids what to change or let society change for her... like wearing PJ's to school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLLatscrapgirls Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Bruce Coville has a series about kids learning to deal with various issues - the only title I can think of is Juliet Dove, Queen of Love, which deals with shyness. I know there is one that deals with lying, and maybe one on bragging too. There must be a fantasy book with a hero who overstates their abilities and then has to cope with the consequences but I am going totally blank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Neff Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 I'm afraid I have no suggestions for book titles. I'm all boys, plus I can't think of anything with that sort of theme (although I'll be keeping my eye open for it now). I just wanted to jump in and say that I think your plan is terrific. I remember when I was that age and I would never have listened to my parents (fortunately, that was a phase), but I think I learned a LOT from books - it's much easier to hear things from someone other than our parents, and it doesn't feel like a lesson when it's couched in the plot of a story. Your endeavor is a great one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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