Tavis Smiley Season 7 Episode 716 Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

Tavis Smiley Season 7 Episode 716 features celebrated author and journalist Po Bronson alongside his co-author Ashley Merryman. The episode dives deep into the findings of Bronson and Merryman's book titled NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children. Throughout their conversation, the two delve deep into issues surrounding child-rearing and modern parenting techniques.

Bronson and Merryman discuss how modern parenting trends, such as helicopter parenting, can inhibit a child's growth and independence. They advise parents to allow their children to make mistakes and learn from them. They argue that children benefit from being given the autonomy to make decisions themselves, rather than having parents make all the decisions for them.

The duo also examine the importance of honesty in parenting, stressing the importance of being truthful with children, even regarding difficult subjects like race and sexuality. Bronson and Merryman highlight research stating that children raised in households where honesty is valued tend to have higher academic achievement and are generally happier individuals.

The authors also discuss the impact of praise on a child's development. They suggest that the traditional method of praising a child for their inherent intelligence or talent can create a fixed mindset, leading the child to believe that their success is determined solely by these factors. Instead, Bronson and Merryman posit that praising a child for their efforts and hard work can help to cultivate a growth mindset, enabling them to see that their success is largely predicated on their actions and decisions.

Throughout the episode, Bronson and Merryman provide numerous research-based examples of how a child's upbringing affects their development. They delve into topics like language learning, sleep patterns, and the dangers of over-exposing children to electronic media. They offer practical advice for parents who may be struggling to balance the demands of work and parenting, as well as those who may be looking to navigate the complexities of modern parenting.

Overall, Tavis Smiley Season 7 Episode 716 featuring Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman is a thought-provoking look at modern parenting trends. It offers viewers a wealth of research-based knowledge on how to raise healthy, happy, and confident children in today's complex world. By deconstructing common myths surrounding parenting, Bronson and Merryman provide a refreshing take on age-old child-rearing techniques, helping parents to create a nurturing environment that promotes growth and development in their children.