Lessons In Parenting From Atticus Finch

atticus-finchHarper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird was first published 50 years ago, but the lessons we learn from it – of life as well as parenting – are as relevant today at they were half a century ago.

Atticus Finch, the lawyer/protagonist was a single dad and brought up his children by a moral compass that we may do well to emulate even today:

On not killing a mockingbird: The principle of not harming anyone who doesn’t harm you.

Never kill a mocking bird because they do nothing except make music for us to enjoy.

This was a lesson Finch learned from his father and which in turn he passed on to his children.

On learning to follow your own conscience: It will tell you what is right even if everyone else is saying something else.

On children using bad language: All children go through a stage where they use bad language to attract attention. If they find they’re not getting that attention, they will stop using bad language.

On understanding the other point of view: In order to understand the other person’s point of view, you ideally have to climb into their skin and walk around in it.

On Courage: Real courage is not the kind that comes with having a literal or figurative gun in your hand.

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