America is facing a “crisis of kindness,” according to science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer, citing some of the harsh messages kids are exposed to, whether parents like it or not. In order to help children have the tools to navigate a sometimes unkind world, Moyer went in search of ways to counteract the forces that drag us down. 

When we consciously raise our kids to be kind, she argues, we ensure that they will thrive – and that “they’ll build a better, fairer, stronger world in the process,” said Moyer, who wrote about her discoveries in her book, “How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t A**holes: Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting.”  

Deborah Farmer Kris
Child Development Expert and Parent Educator; Boston

Deborah Farmer Kris has taught elementary, middle and high school and served as a charter school administrator. She spent a decade as an associate at Boston University’s Center for Character and Social Responsibility, researching, writing, and consulting with schools. She is the mother of two young children. You can follower her on Twitter @dfkris.