discussion

discussion

Questions here are derived from the Medhus book.

Your answers should be supported by our OER textbook.

Note about Medhus book:

While there is no single book that will cover parenting practices in a manner that everyone would embrace, this book does offer interesting ideas and a powerful opportunity to examine our own experiences related to childhood, explore how that might have impacted us (how we interact with ourselves and the world), and also how consider how we may want to move forward with our own self-development and/or parenting practices and more!

That being said, I want to be clear that not only is it okay to disagree with the ideas and approaches read in Medhus, I even encourage it! The important step that must be taken when disagreeing with an author in a research paper is to find and include relevant, scholarly support for your opposing position, for each issue you disagree with. Use our main textbook to do this! This is the critical thinking part of the work and it must be included as part of your argument when you disagree with something. Be careful to be academic in your approach to this work!

Choose at least 10 of the 19 questions listed to respond to in your research paper. Remember to incorporate the main textbook as you respond to each question.

Important: You must number the questions in your paper (1-10) and use the header that goes with the questionor points will be lost!

Header: Medhus' Motivation

1. What was the motivation behind this book (according to the author)? Can you relate to the reasons why the author wrote this book? Be specific.

Header: Five Essential Qualities

1. Discuss the Five Essential Qualities of Self Directed Children. Which do you believe is the most important and why?

Header: Internal vs. External Direction

1. What is the difference between Internal and External Direction? Discuss the “Critical Crossroads", its significance and when it occurs.

Header: Promoting External Direction

1. With regard to creating the proper family environment to foster Self-Directed thinking, name 3 behaviors parents can eliminate that promote External Direction. Discuss the one you find most damaging and explain why. Be specific with your reasoning.

Header: Repression and Domination

1. Discuss Repression and Domination, as discussed in the book. What type of parenting might each correlate with, as described in our text?

Header: Six Habits

1. Of the Six Habits parents use to tell their children how to think, behave and feel, were any familiar to you (were they used on you growing up)? If so, how did that impact you? Why do you think your parents chose to use those tactics on you and what could they have done differently? Tip: It is important to consider motivation.

Header: Introspection

1. How can parents encourage Introspection? Why is this important?

Header: Praise/Rewards

1. According to the author, when should you Praise/Reward your child and when should you not? What is her reasoning? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Be specific.

Header: Derail Unhealthy Internal Dialogue

1. How can a parent Derail Unhealthy Internal Dialogue? Why is this an important task to do with children?

Header: Natural Intuition

1. What is “Natural Intuition” and why do we need it? Are you able to employ your Natural Intuition? How do you think that impacts your daily life? How can we teach children to listen to their natural intuition?

Header: Empathy

1. How can we teach children Empathy? Discuss the Empathy Triad.

Header: Benevolent Selfishness vs. Selfishness

1. What is “Benevolent Selfishness” and how is it different from “Selfishness?”

Header: Punishment vs. Discipline

1. What is the difference between Punishment and Discipline? To be effective and not damaging with Discipline, how should Discipline be delivered and what should it encourage? What role does culture play in punishment and discipline?

Header: Self-Direction

1. Explain why Self-direction is important. Discuss specific techniques that encourage Self-Direction.

Header: Influence

1. How does the author recommend helping children handle real-world influence?

Header: Hurried

1. How does being “Hurried” impact the development of Reasoning Skills? Give examples. How can we, in this day and age, provide time for the development of Internal Direction? Discuss the importance of doing so.

Header: Inner Influences vs. External Influences

17, How can we teach our children to value Inner Influences over External Influences? Be specific.

Header: Sex Education

1. How were you taught about sex when you were growing up? Did you find the method used helpful? What does the author suggest as far as how to deal with the issue of sex? Do you think her suggestions are useful? Why or why not? If not, offer specific strategies regarding what might be effective based on scholarly research and experience.

Header: Medhus' Answers to Parent Challenges

1. Medhus offers over 100 pages of answers for parents regarding Child-Rearing Challenges. Pick and discuss your top five favorites. Explain why you find the information for each challenge you discuss particularly useful. If any of her answers you choose to focus on don't seem quite relevant in today's world due to, for example, technology. Add to her ideas by recreating the example and making it useful and applicable in today's world! Explain the changes and why you made them.

Summary Conclusion Questions (Required!)

Must Answer All Questions substantively, clearly, and thoughtfully.

Note: Every opinion is okay! I appreciate that you have your own mind and want you to voice your thoughts freely here!

This section should be placed at the end of your paper before the reference section.

Header: Summary Conclusion Questions - Use a paragraph to separate each question.

1. Did you find the book challenging to read? Why or why not?
   
2. Were the concepts clear or unclear and did they make sense to you overall or not so much? Why or why not? Be specific.
3. Were you familiar with the ideas presented in this book (have you read or experienced these concepts elsewhere)? Explain.
4. How was considering, studying and then practically applying your learning from both the Medhus book (popular) and the our main textbook (scholarly) in a research paper impactful for your own development? Explain in detail.
5. What were the three most important things you learned in doing this project? Explain in detail.

Critical Note:

Please be aware that due to the large number of points attached to this project, an Incomplete grade will not be given or allowed under any circumstances because you failed to complete this project. Bottom line, if you do not complete this project, your only option (no matter what the circumstance) will be to receive a failing grade for the course and you will then need to retake the entire course. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.