The Chic-Fil-A was crowded, as per usual on a weekday at the lunch hour, and I patiently waited my turn to order. The cashier looked frazzled and barely acknowledged me as I approached. I was not in a hurry. The children were happily playing with their friends in the play room, and I had no where to be.
She was curt, but I didn’t let that bother me. There’s always a reason.
Glancing at her name tag, I noticed the words “trainee” under her name. I smiled at her as she took my payment and said, “You’re doing a great job!”
She finally looked me in the eye and smiled. “Thank you. It’s not that though. I’m pregnant and fighting horrible morning – all day – sickness.”
“Oh, I understand that! I was so sick with my third pregnancy. I hope it passes soon!”
She relaxed, smiled, and her demeanor completely changed.
Kindness wins.
It is so easy for someone’s mood to rub off on you. I could have made the situation worse by being snippy toward her, but instead, I chose to offer a word of encouragement, and it completely changed the nature of our interaction.
Kindness wins.
Last year, my friend and amazing writer, Galit Breen, had a post go viral about comments she received about her weight on an article she wrote about marriage. Basically, more focus was put on the fact that people thought she was fat, and ignored the content of her piece. Once her children started using social media tools like Instagram shortly after that incident, she really noticed how much negativity and unkindness happens online. Galit knew she wanted to do something about cyberbyulling, particularly after her own experience with fat shaming. This book is her “something.” This is a guide for parents, teachers, youth groups, etc. to use for teaching our kids how to be kind online.
I think this can and should be taught. Since Galit is a former teacher and works daily with social media, she has the perfect background to write a book of this nature and guide the how-to portion of the book.
Get your copy here. The Ebook is only $2.99 until tomorrow!
Book Synopsis:
When freelance writer Galit Breen’s kids hinted that they’d like to post, tweet, and share photos on Instagram, Breen took a look at social media as a mom and as a teacher and quickly realized that there’s a ridiculous amount of kindness terrain to teach and explain to kids―and some adults―before letting them loose online. So she took to her pen and wrote a how-to book for parents who are tackling this issue with their kids.
Kindness Wins covers ten habits to directly teach kids as they’re learning how to be kind online. Each section is written in Breen’s trademark parent-to-parent-over-coffee style and concludes with resources for further reading, discussion starters, and bulleted takeaways. She concludes the book with two contracts―one to share with peers and one to share with kids. Just like we needed to teach our children how to walk, swim, and throw a ball, we need to teach them how to maneuver kindly online. This book will help you do just that.
Janine Huldie says
April 7, 2015 at 11:22 amGail’s book is most definitely on my list and thank you once again for reminding me here today! 😉
Galit Breen says
April 7, 2015 at 2:32 pmOhmygoodness, I can’t thank you enough for this thoughtful review! It means so much to me and I’m so grateful to you! (*Truly)
Rabia @TheLiebers says
April 7, 2015 at 3:31 pmOooh! I had this on my list! Thanks for reminding me to get it!!
Chris Carter says
April 8, 2015 at 12:12 amI’m just SO glad Galit used her amazing gift of writing and her teaching abilities to write this book!! The virtual world needs a resource like this SO badly!! Our kids need it and honestly, we all do.
Tamara says
April 8, 2015 at 8:19 pmThis book is absolutely on my list! And wow – that story. I feel for the trainee. I couldn’t be around food at all for my pregnancies. I shudder.
Liv BySurprise says
April 11, 2015 at 3:00 pmwhat a wonderful message. And as it should!