As much as I would appreciate an afternoon off from the physical demands of playing handball with my son, I won’t force the issue. My 10-year-old son, Ryan, is in the fifth grade and has never taken an after-school or weekend enrichment class. Not because we can’t afford it, thankfully. But because he simply doesn’t […]
Kids are different. Times have changed. This we know. But does “smarter” necessarily mean “better”? Does access to more information correspond with greater levels of compassion, understanding, and kindness? I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that my second-grade son is smarter than I was at his age. Admittedly, I’m basing that declaration on […]
I embrace the role I have to play in my children’s education through reading, playing, and modeling good behavior. But I also embrace my role in setting boundaries for our children, our family, and myself. I received an email recently from my son’s kindergarten teacher regarding a new bi-monthly project that was presented as “an […]
Kids whose parents are too involved or controlling are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. I grew up in a home full of love and support. I was surrounded by people who only wanted what was best for me—but sometimes, the way that played out actually had the opposite of the intended effect. […]
“Today’s overprotective, failure-avoidant parenting style has undermined the competence, independence, and academic potential of an entire generation.” Over the past couple of years there’s been a growing rally cry in support of failure. I first noticed this in 2013, when I had coffee with Harvard professor Sarah Lewis to talk about a book she was […]
I’m more my mother’s daughter than I’ve let myself believe since her death—I just needed for my daughter to show me. It’s close to 10pm, and I’m ignoring the article I need to finish writing and the dinner dishes Jenga-stacked next to the sink to stand at the kitchen counter and hot glue pieces of […]
