Thursday, November 5, 2026

Fun Freetime - WonderWorks STEM Day (Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, Branson)

WonderWorks is leading the charge of observing National STEM Day on November 8, 2026. There will be exciting live events that will help guests dive into the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Myrtle Beach:

Guests can participate in four special experiment sessions at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm. They are included with admission. The focus of each session will be:

 

  • 11 am – Soda Can Density Challenge
  • 12 pm – Mirage Maker Illusion Art
  • 1 pm – Principles of Pressure Demo
  • 2 pm – Paper Airplane Aerodynamics
  • 11 am to 1 pm – Give origami a try and meet with special guest, “Shark Tooth Charles”

 

Local residents from North and South Carolina are eligible to get a discounted All Access admission ticket of only $15 plus tax per person on National STEM Day. State identification will need to be presented at the admission counter to purchase the tickets.

Student achievements in and out of the classroom are also highlighted by WonderWorks Myrtle Beach in the annual WonderKids program. Beginning November 8, 2026, local teachers can nominate their students for recognition. Information about this and additional STEM programs at WonderWorks can be found online.


For more information,visit WonderWorksMB.com, and follow @WonderWorksMB on Facebook and X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_MB on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.


Pigeon Forge:


There will be batches of experiments held at two different stations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Some of the fun and thought-provoking experiments will include a mini demonstration of the Bed of Nails, how to create a tornado in a bottle, using chemical reactions to form a DIY lava lamp, an electrifying plasma ball, testing the surface tension of water, and more.

 

Those able to catch the live demos will have a chance to explore such topics as chemical reactions, static electricity, the principles of pressure, surface tension, and density, among other things. The fun activities are included with regular admission tickets. To further celebrate the day, local residents of Tennessee are eligible for a discounted All Access ticket rate of only $15 plus tax per person. State identification will need to be presented at the door to purchase this special ticket.


For more information, visit WonderWorksTN.com, and follow @WonderWorksTN on Facebook and X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_TN on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.


Branson:


Guests can try their hand at origami in the party room all day long, and individual experiment sessions will include:

  • 11 a.m. – Bed of Nails Demo
  • 12:30 p.m. – Elephant Toothpaste
  • 2 p.m. – DIY Lava Lamp
  • 3:30 p.m. – Weather in a Jar

Local residents of Missouri and Arkansas are eligible for a special discount All Access ticket rate of only $16 plus tax per person on National STEM Day. Proof of identification will be required at the door to get the discounted rate.


For more information visit: WonderWorksBranson.com and follow @WonderWorksBranson on Facebook, @WonderWorksBR on X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_BR on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.

Fun Freetime - K-Pop Rising: Dream to Shine

Developer: Old Skull Games

Publisher:  Microids

Genre: Simulation, Rythm Game

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

Make your dream come true and become a K-Pop Star in this exciting life sim and rhythm game! Dance and sing your way through the competition and rise to glory. Customise your character to your image, it is your time to shine!



Caring Causes - America's Adopt A Soldier

 Ahead of Veterans Day, America’s Adopt A Soldier® is inviting Americans to share a handwritten message of gratitude through its 2026 National Care Letter Campaign. The organization aims to collect more than 300,000 cards and letters for deployed service members and veterans in veterans homes and hospitals.

“Annually, over 200,000 care letters were shared,” said Mary Keeser, America’s Adopt A Soldier® Founder. “This year, the goal is to reach over 300,000, which would allow us to send at least four letters to every Veteran in a Veterans Home or Veterans Hospital as well as to our deployed Service Members.”


“The cards and letters we receive are drawn or written by a diverse group of individuals, from 3 years-old to over 100 years-old,” Mary adds. “From kitchen tables to classrooms, to businesses, to college dorms to faith-based establishments, the pens, pencils, crayons and pieces of paper used to create messages of hope, appreciation, unity and support will have a positive impact. The letters of care are truly the caring pulse of America towards our Service men and women.”


Participants can write a note of thanks, create a handmade card or draw a picture expressing appreciation for a recipient’s service and sacrifices. Families, classrooms, college groups, businesses, faith communities and civic organizations are encouraged to take part together.


Cards and letters will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2026. Mail contributions to:

America’s Adopt A Soldier
5240 Port Royal Rd Ste 204
Springfield, VA 22151


For campaign information, visit www.americasadoptasoldier.org, email CareLetters@AmericasAdoptASoldier.org or call 703-278-3718.


# # #


About America’s Adopt A Soldier:

America’s Adopt A Soldier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting service members, veterans and their families. Its National Care Letter Campaign shares messages of thanks and encouragement with deployed service members and veterans in veterans homes and hospitals.


Music Minute - The Oak Ridge Boys: Buried Treasure

Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys release Buried Treasures today via Lightning Rod Records, a 10-song collection of beloved songs the group had long sung and loved but never before brought together on one record. 

Listen to or order Buried Treasures: 30tgrs.ffm.to/buriedtreasures



Buried Treasures is the group’s second studio album with Ben James, who joined in January 2024. Bass singer Aaron Lee McCune joined the road lineup in 2026 while Richard Sterban is on a temporary leave from touring for health reasons; Sterban sings on the album and still makes appearances when he can. The album is available on CD, gold vinyl and all digital services.



Fans can also catch up on the Oaks’ TalkShopLive event from Tuesday, October 20, at talkshop.live/channels/theoakridgeboys.




TULSA HONORS JIM HALSEY

On October 15, the Oaks joined the city of Tulsa, Okla., in honoring their manager of more than 50 years with the unveiling of Jim Halsey Way, an honorary designation for a section of West Easton Street between historic Cain’s Ballroom and the OKPOP Museum in the Tulsa Arts District. Allen and Golden both spoke at the ceremony, crediting the 96-year-old Halsey with landing the group’s first country recording contract and guiding their career ever since. “All the contracts with [The] Oak Ridge Boys have all come through Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jim Halsey,” Golden said. The Oaks performed in Tulsa at River Spirit that same night.

Read more: Tulsa World


WELCOMING THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026

On October 18, the Oaks — inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 — joined fellow members at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Medallion Ceremony in Nashville to welcome the Class of 2026: Tim McGraw, Paul Overstreet and the Stanley Brothers.


THE OAK RIDGE BOYS ON TOUR

The Oak Ridge Boys celebrate release weekend at the Grand Ole Opry tonight and Saturday, then stay on the road through the end of the year, including a return to the Opry for Opry Country Christmas on December 3.


Nov. 07 Anderson Music Hall / Hiawassee, Ga.

Nov. 09 The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.

Nov. 13 DECC Symphony Hall / Duluth, Minn.

Nov. 14 Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel / Tama, Iowa

Nov. 19 UT Tyler Cowan Center / Tyler, Texas

Nov. 20 The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre / Brenham, Texas

Nov. 21 Ellis Theater / Philadelphia, Miss.

Nov. 27 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino / Biloxi, Miss.

Dec. 03 Opry Country Christmas / Nashville, Tenn.

Dec. 04 Hatfield Hall / Terre Haute, Ind.

Dec. 05 Renfro Valley Entertainment Center / Mt. Vernon, Ky.

Dec. 10 Medina Entertainment Center / Medina, Minn.

Dec. 11 Arcada Theatre / St. Charles, Ill.

Dec. 12 Crystal Grand Music Theatre / Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Dec. 13 Mayo Civic Center / Rochester, Minn.

Dates are subject to change. Tickets and updates: oakridgeboys.com



ABOUT THE OAK RIDGE BOYS:

The Oak Ridge Boys are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Their honors include five GRAMMY Awards, two CMA Awards and four ACM Awards, and they have sold more than 41 million units worldwide. Their 1981 hit “Elvira” remains their signature song in a catalog of 34 Top 10 country singles, 17 of which reached No. 1, including “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God for Kids,” “American Made” and “Y’all Come Back Saloon.” Today’s lineup features Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Ben James and Richard Sterban, with Aaron Lee McCune singing bass on the road. Buried Treasures is available now via Lightning Rod Records.

Pet Pointers - FurZapper

Holiday stockings are usually filled with things that are fun for five minutes and forgotten by January. For pet loving  and busy families, a better stocking stuffer is one that saves time, especially on laundry day, when fur-covered blankets, towels, and clothes can send parents reaching for specialty detergents, dryer sheets, and other fixes that add up fast.

FurZapper offers a much simpler solution with a two-pack that is reusable for hundreds of washes and works in the washer and dryer to help pull pet hair away from fabrics. It’s a small, practical gift for busy families who want less fur in the laundry without constantly buying another product to fight it.

Parenting Pointers - Talking About Periods

Do you have a daughter entering puberty? Check out these tips in the Q&A from Always.

Why can the first-period talk feel scary?
Parents and caregivers may understand that the conversation matters but still feel unsure about when to start, what to say, or how to answer questions. Trusted information and simple conversation starters can make period talks feel more approachable. Visit the Always Period Hub for helpful resources.

Why can families trust Always products?
Backed by decades of period-care expertise, Always is the #1 OBGYN recommended pad brand* (based on pad brands survey among US OBGYNs) as well as the #1 recommended pad brand by US pediatricians** (based on a 2025 survey). For more than 40 years, Always has been committed to providing safe, high-quality products and educational resources that help girls and families feel informed, supported, and confident.

**Based on pad brands survey among U.S. OB-GYNs

***Based on a 2025 survey

Where can I find more resources and information about preparing my daughter for her first period?
The Always Period Hub offers period education and resources designed to help parents, caregivers, and girls navigate conversations about periods and feel more prepared.

How do I know when my daughter's first period is coming?
Before your daughter's first period arrives, her body will likely go through several signs of puberty, like breast development, growth spurts, and mood changes, as well as emotional changes like becoming more aware of her feelings, experiencing emotions more intensely, or feeling self-doubt. These changes are completely normal and show that her body is growing. For more information, visit the Always Period Hub.

When should parents start talking about periods?
The best time to have the first-period talk is before it happens. Your daughter will likely experience physical or emotional changes leading up to the first-period, which can be a good time to start talking. The best period talks aren't one big moment, they're ongoing, age-appropriate conversations that help girls feel informed, supported, and confident as they grow. 

What should I say during the first-period talk?
There's no one-size-fits-all script for the first-period talk, but some helpful messages to keep in mind during the conversation are that puberty happens to everyone, so she doesn't need to feel alone or ashamed; periods are a healthy sign that her body is growing, not something to fear; there's nothing embarrassing about talking about her body; and, she can always come to you with questions. Being open about your own story can help, too. Research also shows that when mothers share personal puberty stories, it gives daughters a framework for understanding their own experiences. Your story doesn't have to be perfect—even a difficult experience (like feeling embarrassed about your period at school) can be valuable, as long as it includes a positive resolution. If you're unsure how to start the conversation, use available resources to help. Books, videos, apps, and educational websites like the Always Period Hub can provide structure and reduce awkwardness for both of you.

How can I prepare my daughter for her first period?
Preparing for a first period starts with talking about what to expect before it happens. This includes explaining what a period is, answering questions openly, and identifying and addressing any concerns she might have. Sharing your own experience can also be a powerful tool in making your daughter feel more confident.

Once she understands puberty, prepare her practically for her first period. Make sure period products are available at home, school, or on the go, and pack a First-Period Kit with pads and other essentials (like spare underwear and hand sanitizer) that can be tucked into her backpack, locker, or sports bag, so she can feel prepared no matter where she is when her first period arrives. A period product show-and-tell can make periods feel less scary, too.

How can I help my daughter build confidence during puberty?
You can help your daughter build confidence during puberty by starting the conversations early, being open and transparent, sharing your own experiences, and equipping her with a first-period kit so she'll feel prepared – no matter when or where her first period starts. Puberty can bring physical, emotional, and social changes, but simple habits like self-care and healthy routines, plus encouraging your daughter to seek support when she needs it, can help her feel more confident along the way. Remember, every puberty journey is different, and helping your daughter to understand her body can help her feel more prepared, comfortable, and empowered as she grows.

Does Always make pads for teens?
Yes! Always Radiant Teen Pads are designed with teens in mind and feature a FlexFoam core that absorbs and locks in blood and conform to your body for a comfortable fit. We also have other products like:

    • Always Ultra Thin Overnight Pads: Designed with RapidDRY technology that absorbs gushes 2X faster than the leading store brand and a LeakGUARD core that locks in leaks, this pad provides up to 100% Leak Free Comfort for overnight protection.
    • Always Pure Cotton with FlexFoam Heavy Flow Pads: Features an organic cotton top layer and a FlexFoam core that absorbs and locks in blood. These pads are also 8X drier than the leading pad with a cotton top layer.

ABOUT ALWAYS
Always®, the world's leader in menstrual protection, offers a wide range of pads and liners designed to fit different body types, period flows and preferences, with a commitment to safety, quality, and performance. For over 40 years, Always has been supporting women in every phase of their lives. Please visit www.always.com for more information.

ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.

ABOUT PERIOD.
PERIOD. is a global youth-fueled organization building a future where having a period never gets in the way of going to school, playing a sport, showing up to work, or participating fully in life. Through 210+ chapters in 40 states and 20 countries, PERIOD. supports young leaders conducting period product drives, educating their communities, organizing for change, and advocating for systems that make period products accessible where people need them, permanently.

*among surveyed moms of girls who haven't started their period; Always and PERIOD. Period Conversations Study, 2026. National online survey of 1,011 U.S. mothers with at least one daughter ages 7–15, conducted May 11–21, 2026.

These products are available at mass retailers.

Mealtie Magic - Bowl Theory: Meal Planning for Flexible Flavorful Livin

Home cooks looking to simplify weeknight dinners without sacrificing flavor or creativity have a new solution. In Bowl Theory: Meal Planning for Flexible Flavorful Living (The Collective Book Studio; November 10, 2026; $35.00), Caryn Carruthers, a passionate foodie, writer and photographer, introduces a fresh approach to meal planning built around customizable, nutrient-rich bowls. Bowl Theory shows home cooks how to build nutritious, flavorful bowls using flexible foundation recipes that layer and adapt for endless variety.

Designed for today's busy households, Bowl Theory replaces rigid meal plans with a flexible component-based system that allows home cooks to prep once and enjoy multiple unique meals throughout the week. Whether feeding family members with different dietary preferences or hosting friends for dinner, Caryn Carruthers shows how a handful of thoughtfully prepared ingredients can become endless satisfying combinations.

 

"Cooking should feel inspiring—not overwhelming," Caryn says. "This book celebrates and adds ease to cooking at home. Building layered meals out of bowls fosters creativity and flexibility as we navigate the different preferences of family members, in addition to providing a satisfying meal experience. I love bowl meals for their versatility of flavors and visual appeal.”

 

Perfect for anyone juggling allergies, food sensitivities, or simply seeking healthier meals, every recipe is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy optional. There are also many options that fit paleo, vegetarian, and vegan lifestyles.

 

The recipe section of Bowl Theory is divided into two parts, both perfect for a contemporary lifestyle. Part one – Everyday Bowls is based on ten complete meal plans, each built around three to five versatile foundation recipes that can be prepped ahead of time, then used to build delicious bowl-based meals during the week. Each plan includes a shopping list and three distinct meal variations, making weekly meal prep both efficient and inspiring. From a Mushroom Pasta Bowl with Herby Garlic Oil & Walnuts, a Spiraled Sweet Potato, Buckwheat Tabbouleh and Lamb Meatball Bowl, and a Quick Curried Lentil Soup with Potatoes & Chickpeas, home cooks discover how a few key ingredients can create multiple satisfying meals.


Part two – Gathering with Bowls elevates your entertaining with twelve themed gathering ideas, including a Taco Bowl Night, Ramen Party, Bibimbap, Harvest Bowl Spread, and Mediterranean Bowls. Each theme provides component recipes that can be prepped ahead and assembly guidelines, allowing guests to customize their perfect bowl.

 

Whether hosting a casual weeknight dinner or gathering with friends and family, Bowl Theory provides everything needed to create memorable, interactive meals for everyone at your table.

 

Filled with more than 225 full-color photographs, Bowl Theory is both an instructional guide and an inspiring cookbook that helps you cook smarter, waste less, and make every meal feel fresh.


Caryn Carruthers is a food lover, writer, photographer, ceramicist and health enthusiast. Her passion for healthy eating and her love of cooking started young and flourished when faced with creating delicious food and accommodating allergies. She is an advocate for intentional living, and it shows in all her mediums of expression. Caryn creates rustic-elegant functional ceramics and parents her two children with her husband in Austin, TX. Learn more about Caryn by visiting her website, https://www.cjcreative.studio/

 

The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, full-service publishing studio that works with authors, brands, and companies to create, develop, and publish high-quality books. Known for their beautifully designed and curated titles, The Collective Book Studio connects readers with stories that matter, making their books ideal for gifts and personal collections alike. With a focus on innovative content and striking design, The Collective Book Studio offers a unique approach to the publishing process, providing clients with expertise and collaborative support from concept to creation.

 

The Collective Book Studio’s books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com.

Music Minute - Terri Clark: Live from the Ryman

Phoht: Hayley Gjertsen

Country icon Terri Clark releases her 17-song live album, Terri Clark: Live From The Ryman, out now. Allowing listeners to relive her highly-anticipated headline show at the Ryman Auditorium in August 2024, Clark captures the special evening live from the first note to the final encore, including surprise guest appearances from Ashley McBryde and Trisha Yearwood. The collection brings the authentic set to life by portraying the evening exactly as it played out, with no re-recordings later added by Clark or her band.

“Although we never intended it to become a live record, that's exactly what happened,” said Clark. “What you hear is the show just as it went down that night. Piecing together board tracks from my road technicians, it found its way to the live recording that encapsulates one of the greatest experiences I have ever had on stage. We chose passion over perfection, and did our best to keep this truly 'live,' maintaining the authenticity of the energy in the room that night between me, my band, the audience and my special guests Trisha and Ashley.”

LISTEN: TERRI CLARK: LIVE FROM THE RYMAN

Clark's live record showcases a night filled with timeless hits, reimagined medleys, standing ovations, unforgettable duets and crowd reactions at the Mother Church. “I'm so grateful for all the fans who came for this show, they are a huge part of what makes this what it is,” added Clark. “A truly joyous and magical exchange of energy that will be hard to ever top or replicate.”

The “country great” (Nashville Lifestyles) brought out McBryde to perform their duet rendition of the mega hit “Better Things To Do,” while special guest Yearwood stepped in for “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” to close out the show. “History was revived while time stood still," The Tennessean noted of the evening as a standing ovation from the crowd praised the energetic 90-minute set.

Last night (10/29), Clark hosted and performed at CCMA's 50 year celebration at the Grand Ole Opry, where she is the only Canadian female member to be inducted. Clark joined Cody Johnson this fall for select dates across the U.S. and Canada and now looks forward to her It's Christmas…Cheers! 12-date run this holiday season.

The legendary singer-songwriter has made history in both her home country of Canada and the U.S., cementing her mark in country music across borders. Clark has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Hall of Fame and was most recently appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the nation's highest civilian honors.

Keep up with Clark and her upcoming announcements at terriclark.com and on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X and TikTok.


ABOUT TERRI CLARK:
From paying her dues at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville to holding the honor of being the only Canadian female member of the Grand Ole Opry, Terri Clark continues to build an unforgettable legacy primed for the history books of country music.

The multi-JUNO Award winner boasts over 5 million albums sold, three RIAA Platinum and two RIAA Gold-certified albums, Canadian Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum and Triple Platinum-certified albums, 13 Top 10 singles including six No.1s in Canada and the U.S., 19 CCMA Awards and multiple ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award nominations. In 2018, Clark was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, followed by her 2023 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In December 2025, Clark was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), one of the nation's highest civilian honors.

Out now, Terri Clark: Live From The Ryman preserves the magic of Clark's headlining debut at the legendary venue on August 29, 2024. Captured in its entirety from start to finish, the album showcases her iconic hits alongside special guest performances by Trisha Yearwood and Ashley McBryde.

Book Nook - Approval Removal: Finding Freedom from Fitting In

Our need to be liked, validated and accepted by others is a silent epidemic that can damage our relationships, careers, and overall wellness. However, by looking back into childhood and recognizing the experiences that ignited a small sense of self-worth and approval from others, we can begin to heal and find that acceptance within ourselves.

I had a chance to interview Dr. Rob Allan, a renowned social psychologist specializing in breaking free from approval-seeking behaviors, who wrote the upcoming book Approval Removal: Finding Freedom from Fitting In (November 10). This includes:
  • Re-examining the moments in our childhood that have impacted our need for approval and self-worth.
  • How value becomes a driving force of behavior even at a young age, and shapes our Approval Needs. 
  • How parents can instill strong self-worth and a sense of value at any and all stages of childhood.
  • A closer look at Dr. Rob's Approval Removal and the outsized power of people's opinions on our identity and self-worth.
How can our childhood experiences affect our need for approval and self-worth?
Our childhood experiences have a huge influence on the sense of self-worth we carry into adulthood. That sense will be shaped, in part, by the messages we absorb about our value, and by what the people raising us seem to value about us.

One thing childhood doesn’t determine, though, is the underlying need. Wanting to feel valued is a core human need, and one of the most powerful drivers of our behavior. Your child did not develop it. She arrived with it. What she learns is something more specific. As a child, she has no other way to get that need met than through the people around her, just as she depends on them for food and safety. That part is not a problem to be solved. The question is what she learns
about the terms. Does being valued arrive freely, or does it arrive attached to how well she performs?

Picture two children, both loved exactly the same amount. One grows up hearing two messages, always on separate occasions: that she is loved, and that she did well on her spelling test. The other hears those messages arrive together every time, and draws an obvious conclusion. I am loved when I do well. Nobody ever said that to
her. She worked it out herself. The first child may grow into an adult who can fail without losing her sense of worth. The second may do brilliantly but never feel able to stop performing for approval. The difference is not whether we need approval, but whether we come to believe we have to earn it by performing well for others.

How can parents and caregivers instill strong self-worth and a sense of value at all stages of childhood?
Separate the messages children receive about how much you value what they do from how much you value them, regardless of what they do. Language is very important, and the habits we establish early can have a lasting influence.

When a preschooler hears “good boy” every time he does something that pleases you, or “you’re so pretty” every time she picks a certain dress, we can unintentionally
teach them that feeling valued comes from doing what someone else values. At that age a lot of it is about timing. Make sure your warmth and affection are just as visible when nothing has been achieved as when something has gone well. Through the school years, watch the language around mistakes. There is a world of difference between “that was unkind” and “you’re so naughty.” 

The first is about something he did, and he can change it. The second is about who he is, and that is a much heavier thing for a seven-year-old to carry around. The same goes for disappointment. When something goes wrong for them, resist the urge to fix it immediately. A child who finds out that someone was cross with her and she came through it has learned something far more useful than a child who was carefully protected from ever finding out.

With teenagers, give them responsibility the family genuinely relies on. Not a job invented to build character, which they will see through immediately, but something that actually matters and that someone will notice if it does not get done. Being needed teaches a young person something about their own worth that praise simply cannot. One reassurance, because this worries parents more than it needs to. A six-year-old who looks to you to know he is valued is not a problem to be corrected. He is six. Learning to carry some of that yourself is the work of adulthood, not childhood. What you are doing in these years is simply making sure that what he depends on arrives freely not conditionally.

How can we learn to form our own self-worth independently of the need for approval from others?
This is exactly the right way to frame it. You never become independent of the need to feel valued. That one is core, and it doesn’t leave, any more than the need for food does. What you can become independent of is needing other people to be the ones who supply it, and that shift is the all important one.

One way to begin, particularly as a parent, is an honest reality check on how much of your own validation and self-worth you are drawing from your children’s achievements and milestones. The team they made, the recital they were selected for, the grades they got, the school they got into, and on it goes. We call it being proud of them, and from the inside it’s almost impossible to tell how much is delight in them versus how much is something you are hoping to get back as validation from others. Which is why one question cuts through so much self-examination: if I could never tell another soul how my child was doing, would it still feel as good?

More broadly, most of us are running almost entirely on outsourced validation, which simply means other people’s reactions. It is fast, plentiful and completely unstable. The way out is to learn to source your worth from two other places. Self-sourced validation: judging yourself against your own standards rather than other people’s reactions. And, better still, purpose-led validation. For a parent, that starts with asking yourself what kind of parent you want to have been, regardless of how your children turn out. That gives you a measure of your worth that a disappointing report card cannot touch. And your children will learn far more from
watching you hold steady through criticism than from anything you ever tell them about confidence.