For centuries, tribes of people have used stories as a way of teaching values, sharing history and information, and even teaching children about the world around them and the role they are expected to play in it. As a parent, we too can use stories to help us to guide and teach our children and stories can also be a way of injecting some fun and humor into your parenting.
While you can find children’s books about just about any and every topic that might come up in your household—and books can be a great way to introduce ideas and topics and provide a platform for discussing things, telling stories and using stories to parent is more personal and flexible. After all, it is not often that we can say: “Hold that thought, while I run to the library and find a book on this!” Having a good repertoire of your own stories and being able to adjust your storytelling to fit the needs of your family can be a real bonus.
Use personal stories, anecdotes, and even stories that you have heard from other people. I find that when I can share “this happened to a friend of mine” my kids might be a little skeptical, but they still listen. We all want to hear what things are like for other people so we know if we are normal or learn how someone else handled a similar situation. I do find that my kids do not want to hear me tell personal stories about everything—taking everything that happens with your child and bringing it back to something that has personally happened to you comes across as self-centered and self-absorbed. Telling stories that relate and have a much broader context is often better-received. The more you practice telling stories and using them in your parenting, the more effective you will become.