Finding our way to a kinder culture―a culture that starts with our families.
Book Description
In homes and school communities nationwide, there is re-energized interest in the values of community, compassion, and tolerance, and in finding our way to a kinder culture—a culture that starts with our families. Headlines speak of hate crimes, intolerance, and us-versus-them divisiveness. Recent political events have left many Americans yearning for unity, respect, and compassion in our national discourse. In our schools, bullying continues to be a pervasive problem, and in our homes, ‘screen-time’ poses a constant threat to ‘family time.’ Research shows that connection and social engagement are key to successful, fulfilling lives, and yet we have never been less connected than we are now. Perhaps more than any other group, parents recognize the potential damage of this trend.
Our Story
Photos by Marcia Ciriello
We are both mental health professionals who have devoted our lives to working with families and children. We are a mom and grandma. We are an aunt and niece team. We share experiences from our work lives and values from our own family. We originally set out to write a book about raising charitable children. Along the way, we realized that being charitable (which we see as helping others) is not just about charity. We have observed that certain characteristics appear to be an integral part of exceptionally charitable people. We believe that with very few exceptions, each of us is born with these characteristics. We can learn to recognize and pay attention to how we incorporate them into our daily life and nurture them in our children. These concepts are vital to living a caring and purposeful life. We hope The Kindness Advantage will help your whole family discover ways to make a positive impact in the world.
Events & Appearances
Interview with Carmen Rita Wong – Author, Finance Expert, CNBC Television Host
Carmen Rita Wong might be best known as a personal finance expert and television host on CNBC, but the author and media personality is also an expert on family secrets. On September 21st, Dr. Dale Atkins will interview Carmen about her new memoir, Why Didn’t You Tell Me? when she will share how “a Chinese-tea-sipping, […]
Interview with Carmen Rita Wong at Athena Books in Old Greenwich
September 20th @ 6:30 pm -7:30 pm Interview with Carmen Rita Wong – Author, Finance Expert, CNBC Television Host Open to the public! Address Athena Books 228 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
In Conversation… With Frank Schaeffer Thursday, April 21, 2022 A Caregiving Forum @ 1pm EST Mim Senft, Dr. Dale Atkins, Karina Muller About Frank Schaeffer’s Podcast I’m starting a new conversation with the artists, authors, activists, and change – makers who are shaping our world today. Join the conversation at LoveChildrenPlanet.com
Lessons from Our Parents: From Hate to Kindness
Wednesday April 20th, 7-8pm EST Lessons from Our Parents: From Hate to Kindness (FREE) Morse Life Next Generations Register Here: https://www.nextgenerations.org/ Dr. Dale V. Atkins, co-author of The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children, presents the research behind the fundamentals of kindness and explores with our own second and third generation panelists what they […]
Jewish Community Relations Council Presents: Cultivating a Caring Soul
With Dr. Dale Atkins, Ph.D., author of The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST Hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Stamford Join Via Zoom For more information, please visit: https://www.ujf.org/calendar/jcrc-cultivating-a-caring-soul-series-the-kindness-advantage-1629401126
Caring for Loved Ones, Caring for Yourself
JOIN US Tuesday, March 15, 2022 6:30pm EST (Virtual) REGISTER: https://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/caring-for-loved-ones #Caregiving for loved ones can be an overwhelming experience. Join UJA Women for an informative panel discussion to benefit recent, current and potential caregivers in the future. Our panelists will offer information, tools, and resources to help make the experiences of #caregivers and those […]
Endorsements
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Neuroscientist and Researcher
The Kindness Advantage provides practical wisdom and good-sense guidance to help you scaffold your child’s journey toward goodness of heart. This book is a gift which has arrived at the perfect time for our world.
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Author and Founder, Positive Parenting Solutions
The Kindness Advantage by Dale Atkins, PhD, and Amanda Salzhauer, MSW is exactly what we need more of right now. With empowering examples and science-based truths, Dale and Amanda share what it takes to foster kindness, empathy, compassion, and heart in our families. Parents will learn how to take on social questions and connect in a way that will improve the lives of their children and help create a more nurturing world. Highly recommended!
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Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; Clinical Associate Professor of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai Medical Center
As a physician who uses mindfulness practices extensively in working with patients, health care professionals, and people dealing with all varieties of stress, I love that this book incorporates those practices into a guide for parents who are teaching their children to be kind. The authors wisely lead with the evidence that kindness leads to greater happiness, meaning, and wellbeing, and then provide a myriad of inspirational examples and ideas for children and parents. Grandparents, who are often crucial inspirational figures in children's lives, may particularly benefit from ideas for intergenerational collaborations in kindness.
Press
Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books Podcast
Amanda Salzhauer, THE KINDNESS ADVANTAGE 2019-09-26 iOS Android Share Amanda Salzhauer, MSW, is the coauthor, along with Dale Atkins, PhD, of The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children, Everyday Ideas for Raising Kids Who Care. Amanda is a social worker who has worked in both clinics and private practice. Her book is amazing because it highlights the […]
10 Books for Parents Who Want to Raise Kind Kids
10 Books For Parents Who Want To Raise Kind Kids These parenting books emphasize emotional intelligence, empathy and respect for others. ByCaroline Bologna 09/03/2019 05:45am EDT Raising kids who will show empathy and kindness toward others is, understandably, a big priority for parents today. There are many ways to teach children to be forces for good in […]