Mentoring is a key concept in the book,  A Thomas Jefferson Education.  DeMille writes, “A good mentor is someone of high moral character who is more advanced than the student and can guide his or her learning.  Parents are natural mentors of children.”    Parents know this intuitively, but are sometimes at a loss as to how to mentor their children.  Spending quality time together, teaching them life skills and reflecting on character lessons learned by their mistakes are just a couple ways a parent forms a child.

Is it possible that reading good books aloud to your children is actually a form of mentoring?  After reading Little Britches by Ralph Moody, I think it can be!  Moody artfully relates an adventure story of a boy full of mischief and boyhood curiosity.  Told in first person, the author expounds on memories from his own childhood.  This perspective provides a fascinating portrayal of how young mischievous boys think and rationalize their way into all kinds of disasters.   Through each crisis and mishap, the reader observes Father forming this boy into a man of character through discipline/boundaries, counseling and modeling.

For example, most children at one time or another tell a lie.  Little Britches lies to his mother about something Father gave him permission to do.  In truth, Little Britches just WANTED to do something he knew his parents would not likely permit.  Without giving away the story, predictable disaster results from his actions.  In addition to a suitable punishment, Father shares these wise words, “A man’s character is like his house.  If he tears boards off his house and burns them to keep himself warm and comfortable, his house soon becomes a ruin.  If he tells lies to be able to do the things he shouldn’t do but wants to, his character will soon become a ruin.  A man with a ruined character is a shame on the face of the earth.”    Father has taught a life long lesson in character with an analogy a young boy can see in his mind's eye.

In another example, Little Britches DOES tell the truth about some mischief he was involved in with his class, but only a few children admit to their role in the damage.  The school children, who misrepresented their involvement by claiming innocence, were not punished.  But Little Britches was severely punished by school personnel.  Father comforted Little Britches by saying, “Sometimes a man has to take a licking for doing the right thing.   A licking only lasts a short while, but failing to do the right thing will often make a mark on a man that will last forever.”   This poignant episode creates another picture-lesson easy for a child to remember.

In a final example, Little Britches wants to “hang out” with some friends who likely do not share the same value system in which he was raised.  This IS part of growing up and becoming independent.  Little Britches has already become wiser but Father has sage advice to share.  In spending some time down by their favorite creek together, whittling boats from tree branches, Father uses the opportunity to explain, “You know, a man’s life is a lot like a boat.  If he keeps his sail set right it doesn’t make too much difference which way the wind blows or which way the current flows.  If he knows where he wants to go and keeps his sail trimmed carefully, he’ll come into the right port.  But if he forgets to watch his sail till the current catches him broadside, he’s apt to smash up on the rocks.”  Isn’t this what we all want to say to our kids, but don’t have the poetic words, the whittling skills or quiet time together along a creek?

Reading well written, classic children’s literature aloud has many benefits to a family.  Little Britches by Ralph Moody is one of those not-to-miss books!  It portrays parents as positive role models in the life of a child, and teaches both parent and child the value of mentoring our boys to men.  (Copyright April 2007: use only with permission of author, Maureen O’Brien)

Related Tags: Thomas Jefferson Education, Mentor, Core Phase, Classics, Scholar, Leadership

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Posted by Kerri

It's nice to hear of some stories where parents can be relied on as sources of wisdom and not just goofy sidekicks.

Here via CoFL

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Posted by Redbud

Agreed. Thanks for this post. I've read that the LB books are good, but you just showed us how good. I'll definitely be getting these for my 10yo DS.

Sherry

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