What Kind of a Person Are You?

Midweek recommendation

In the last issue, we opened with a scene from Wonder- when Summer walks over to Auggie and says:

“Mind if I sit here?”

That line became a choice. To belong to the group… or to be kind. Summer chose kindness.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend Wonder by R.J. Palacio, both the book and the film. Especially if your child is in the 9–12 tween age group, it’s one of those rare stories that speaks to them directly.

An important theme in Wonder is bullying at school. It usually starts around this age. And it’s something almost every child will encounter- often as the one being bullied, sometimes as the bystander, and occasionally, as the one doing the hurting.

In this short clip from the film, Summer is asked: “What kind of a person are you?”
She answers: “When given a choice between being right and being kind… choose kind.”

As parents, we can’t make the choice for them. But we can shape the space where that choice feels possible- where kindness is noticed, and courage is named- even when it costs something.

In the age group 9-12, our kids are making choices about being fearless and showing kindness.

Your nudge and nurturing at this stage can help them fight bullying, be a bystander, or worse, become a bully.

Take time this weekend to watch Wonder with your child, and see if you can unravel the choices they are making or have made about being kind, even when no one claps.

Just like Summer does in this clip from Wonder

Till next time

Gaurav G