The One Problem Interview with Lois McGuire, Author

This is the 30^th Episode of The One Problem, and today my special guest is Lois McGuire.

Hi there. My name is Avil Beckford and this is the latest episode of the One Problem podcast. As you might know, I bring on guests, and they talk about one problem, not all the problems in the world, that would simply overwhelm us.  Dr Lois McGuire is the author of the character education series Don't Be That Kid. Over to you, Lois.

Lois McGuire

Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. And what is the One Problem I'd like to speak to today. I'm a retired Superintendent of schools from New Jersey, now living in Florida and writing character education books. Now, why did I do that? I did that because throughout my career, starting as an elementary school teacher and ending as a Superintendent of schools, I felt that we didn't spend enough time on values, honesty, respect, responsibility, cooperation, kindness, being a good sport, learning how to share self reflection. It is imperative that parents, grandparents and educators spend time with young children teaching those skills.

And one way that we can begin to do that is by establishing clear expectations with our children. What do I mean by that? Quite simply, telling children exactly what we expect from them and the behaviors that we expect from them before we get into a situation. A perfect example would be going to the supermarket. Before you go to the supermarket with your child, tell your child where you're going, why you're going and how you expect your child to behave. And then you tell your child what he or she can expect from you in return.

The One Problem with Lois McGuire: Teaching Children Values Such as Honesty, Respect, and Kindness

We're going to the supermarket because I need to buy dinner for tonight. When we get there, you're going to be walking with me next to the grocery cart. I don't expect you to be touching the foods on the shelf. I don't expect you to be yelling. I expect you to be helping me select items for dinner. Once we do that, and we get home, and you help me unpack the groceries, then we're going to fill in the blank. We're going to play a game. We're going to see a video. We're going to go to the park.

It doesn't matter what that is. By explaining to your child where you're going and why, how you expect them to behave once you get there, and then what you're going to do afterwards, you're giving them a comfort level. So then they understand exactly what is expected of them. That's a value, and I think it's an important value. We're going to Grandma and Grandpa. Once we get there, I expect you to say ‘Hello' to them. Either kiss them hello, hug them Hello. Whatever your family does,

Lois McGuire

I don't want to kiss Grandma and Grandpa. I don't want to go to Grandma. You explain to your child before you get there why it's important to visit Grandma and Grandpa. And you iterate what you expect their behavior to do. We get there, you say Hello to them or hug them, whatever you prefer as a parent. And then you can go and watch video games or you're going to have cake. We're going to lemonade. Whatever is going to have.

I want to spend X amount of time there. And then we're going to go. By doing that, you start to eliminate young children having tantrums. Older children ignoring grandparents and just walking in the house and sitting on the couch, turning on the TV or playing with their videos. We're not playing with our video games. When we visit Grandma and grandpa, we're there to visit them and talk and will only be there for a half hour, an hour, whatever the length. By doing that, you are eliminating having problems once you get to a place or into a situation.

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So today the problem is how to eliminate these situations by teaching core values. Saying Hello to grandma and grandpa and respecting them. That showing respect. It's taking responsibility for your actions. It's learning how to get along with others. Back to you, Avil.

Avil Beckford

Wow. That's something that I've never thought about, you know, sitting down and setting up the expectation. But now that you've presented it, it makes so much sense. And I guess the books are a little bit related because they teach some of these kids. Am I correct?

Lois McGuire

Every scene in Don't Be That Kid at School and Don't Be That Kid at Home reflects a different character trait. So, yes, my books are all about values.

Teaching core values, and there are two of them so far in the series. May I show them?

Avil Beckford

Yes, please.

Lois McGuire

The first one is Don't Be That Kid at School because it's Don't Be that kid. It's about a little goat who misbehaves every day and then learns his lesson. While writing this, I wrote a paperback resource guide for educators. Every scene of the book has activities separated into grades K one, two, three and grade four and five. My second hard cover book is Don't Be That Kid at Home. And again, each scene depicts a different character trait. This one is about learning to be a good sport. We talk, and you read the book, discuss the scenes, and talk about behavior.

That's what these books are all of that.

Avil Beckford

Thank you so much. I know that my listeners are going to enjoy this.

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Don't Be That Kid at School
Don't Be That Kid at Home