Our children's lives are filled with countless opportunities, both big and small, to make a difference in the world. And sooner or later, they will face adversity when we cannot be there to help them. Perhaps there will be a bully to deal with at school, an offer of drugs, or a life-threatening accident, attack, or illness. But eventually, in some way, life will demand that our children face fear, make choices, and take action. In this groundbreaking guide for parents, Charles Smith shows how to nurture the virtue of everyday courage in children. He explains how courage develops in eight stages from birth to early adolescence. And he provides solid information and practical ideas to help nurture courage at every one of those stages.

"After 9/11, stories of 'everyday heroes' abounded. With that in mind, Smith, who teaches at Kansas State University's School of Family Studies and Human Services, compiled this collection of anecdotes, tips, research, news accounts and personal experiences to form a beautiful guide for adults seeking to empower children. He directs readers down the path from personal power to willpower, which he posits as the foundation for strength. He provides practical examples of things parents can do to inspire vigilance, evoke empathy and ward off 'emotional hijacking,' which comes as 'emotions spin out of control' when a child is confronted by a potential threat. Smith admonishes readers against accepting complacency (because 'passive onlookers contribute to predatory violence'), and encourages reflection as a method of helping anchor children while pointing out the possibilities for the future. In simple language that informs without being overly pedagogical, Smith shares wisdom on character building that should greatly assist parents, educators and those who work to bring out the best in children." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)