Here's an interesting Wall Street Journal article discussing a new book, How to Raise an Adult . . . written by former Stanford University Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims: http://wapo.st/1RMJwVx 

 

You may be familiar with her themes. As someone who has been working in schools for almost forty years (Did I actually just write that?), I certainly am. There is no doubt that we parents (and there is a danger that those of us in schools may be culprits too) are generally more involved in our children's lives than our parents were, and that this intense involvement lasts for much longer into their lives than in previous generations. Cue stories about parents doing their children's homework, writing their children's college essays, and, yes, showing up at their job interviews! What I like about this article is that it offers not only the conventional wisdom--over-parenting risks turning out young adults who are unable to fend for themselves, deal with the inevitable curve-balls life will throw at them, or communicate with other adults in a meaningful way themselves--but it also challenges us, through the writing of Alfie Cohn, to explore the possibility that there has been too much "piling on" in these conversations, and that some of what we term helicopter parenting might be healthful.

 

Really?

 

What do you think? Let me know!

 

And I will share my own thoughts next week!

 

Peter

pmccormack@rollinghillsprep.org 

 

(Looking forward to seeing you all at Parent/teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday this week)