Have you heard of Adam Grant? He’s an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who wrote an opinion piece in 2017 titled "Kids, Would You Please Start Fighting?". I recently heard his interview on the “What Now? with Trevor Noah” podcast. And what he said was so on-point, that I had to share it with you!

Constructive Disagreements Foster Creative Kids

Grant suggests that children who grow up in homes where parents regularly engage in constructive disagreements may develop into more creative and resilient adults. This got me thinking about how we can use our everyday interactions to foster creativity and problem-solving skills in our kids.

Now by disagreements, I don’t mean shouting matches. But more like having productive discussions with your kids and partner, where all parties hear each other out, have a say, and eventually reach a healthy consensus.

Here's what we as parents can gain from this approach

It's important to note that we're talking about healthy, respectful disagreements here - not heated arguments or name-calling. The key is to show our kids how to express different opinions, listen to others, and work towards solutions together.

Here are a few tips to get started

Remember, the goal isn't to create conflict, but to embrace the natural differences of opinion that arise in any family as opportunities for growth and learning.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you handle disagreements in your family? Have you noticed any positive effects on your kids?

If you found this helpful, please share it with other parents who might benefit. We're all in this together!