February 2012

Dear Parents,

This month's Powerful Word is Loyalty.  Please view the Ask Dr. Robyn video and then discuss the powerful word with your child.

   

Listed below are some ways to discuss this month's powerful word.

We all have really great friends and wonderful people in our lives who we know will stick by our side no matter what. If we get angry, sad, frustrated or scared, we can turn to these people because they are loyal and dependable. We also know people in our lives who might not always stick by our side. They might be the kind of people who don’t keep their promises to us or talk behind our backs. These people are not loyal. People can be loyal to other people, to a pet, to places like a school, to groups like a team or a class, or to a cause like helping the homeless or the hungry. When we are loyal, we are showing loyalty.

Ask when you hear the word “loyalty” what comes to mind (i.e. three musketeers,dependable, best friends, trust)? Think of the people you are closest to in your life. Do they show up when they say they are going to show up? Yes! Are they people you can turn to when you are feeling angry, sad or scared? Yes! Do they keep their promises? Yes! These are loyal people. How do your parents or your sisters/brothers show that they are loyal to you (i.e. pick me up everyday after school, never tell anyone my secrets, keep promises)? How do YOU show that you are loyal to your family members? Loyalty has to go both ways-- what do you think I mean by that? It means that BOTH people need to be loyal to each other. What would happen if you were loyal to someone but that person wasn’t loyal to you? Loyalty means that we are faithful and committed to a person, place, group or cause. Are you loyal?

Ask what does it mean to be a loyal friend (i.e. always there, stick up for them)? What does it mean to be a loyal brother/sister or family member (i.e. keep your promises even when you would rather do something else, don’t tell other people secrets about your family)? What promises have you made to your parents or other family members? If you keep those promises, how does your family respond? If you break those promises, how does your family respond? What promises have you made to your friends? If you keep those promises, how do your friends respond? What happens to the friendship when we keep our promises? If you were to break those promises, how do you think your friends would respond? What would happen to the friendship if you kept breaking promises? Loyalty is an important choice. Are you a loyal person?

 Link to Dr. Robyn's Powerful Parents Blog.