Raising Smarter Princesses (and Frogs)

There’s another level on which we can appreciate the lessons from The Princess and the Frog. From the king in the story, we are reminded of the parent’s role in teaching the most meaningful lessons to our children.

The most effective way a parent can teach a child to take responsibility is to actually “live it,” although we don’t always rise to this occasion. Have you ever had your child try to hand you a phone call, and in a stage whisper you instruct them, “Tell them I’m not home!” Seemingly minor infractions like this teach our children to accept the little white lies. They show kids how to be dishonest and let them know that in some situations, it’s okay. Children pay attention to the lessons they learn—the lessons they learn in the fairy tales and also from observing you.