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

Kindness, Questions and Caregiving: Practical Ways to Facilitate More Compassionate Communication

Register Today! https://helloorion.org/events/orion-nyc-chapter-meeting-7/ May 10, 2023 Orion NYC/NNJ (In-Person Meeting) 9:30am – 11am EST Host: Dr. Dale Atkins Caregiving often requires difficult conversations throughout the care journey. We can better […]

The Future Fight Against Extremism and For Democracy

Please RSVP here: https://connecticut.adl.org/event/future-fight-against-extremism-and-for-democracy/

“Kindness” Conversation for Parents Nursery Schoolers

Christ Church Nursery School “Kindness” Conversation for Parents of Nursery Schoolers 254 East Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 9:30 AM EST, January 27th 2023 For more information about Christ Church in […]

Interview: Voice of Islam Radio (UK)

October 13, 2022 12:40pm – 1pm EST Dr. Dale Atkins will be a guest on the Voice of Islam Radio. The topic will be lying. About Voice of Islam The […]

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. […]

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, […]

Endorsements

  • 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.

    Patricia A. Bloom, M.D. Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; Clinical Associate Professor of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai Medical Center
  • In times of discord and polarization, kindness is a family value that can often be overlooked and underestimated. But, in truth, few parental responsibilities carry more weight -- and bring more joy -- than teaching children the power of flexing their own kindness muscles. Steeped in research and brimming with practical tips, The Kindness Advantage provides parents with a blueprint for nurturing empathy in young children, while offering real-life stories that both instruct and inspire. This is a thoughtful guidebook for parents, caregivers, and any adults looking to help build happiness, raise good citizens, and create harmonious communities.

    Myung Lee Executive Director, Fund for Cities of Service
  • Before we expect kindness from others, we have to nurture it in ourselves. Thanks to The Kindness Advantage we now have the recipe to raise children that better the world not because of what they have done, but because of who they are.  And, in the process, we can learn to become kinder people in an often divisive and complicated world.

    Rabbi Sherre Hirsch Author, We Plan, God Laughs

Press

Interview with Carlette Christmas On Point Talk Television

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 […]

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 […]

Amazon

Barnes & Noble (Coming Soon)

Indie Bound (Coming Soon)

Books A Million (Coming Soon)

click here to open inline HTML

The Kindness Advantage can be purchased at the following fine retailers:


Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound
Books a Million