And you should be open-minded about her approach, because she gives a lot of good advice.
While my children are nearly past most of the milestones she speaks to, I still found solid wisdom in her words that were immediately applicable.
And I was reassured that some of the parenting choices I made were inline with her recommendations, particularly regarding college, and keeping the stress of high school to a minimum. Yes, I've actually told my children to take the B sometimes, because it instantly lowered their stress and often times the release of pressure allowed them to excel. We chose to limit clubs and activities to give our kids downtime, friend time, and family time. Nor did I worry over how other parents would perceive my choices. These are my kids, not theirs. Everyone parents differently.
Teaching our kids life skills beyond how to get grades to get into college is imperative, and often overlooked by today's parents.
Ms. L-H puts the bigger picture in perspective while being grounded, and has statistics to back up her recommendations.
Definitely worth the read, preferably before your kids are in high school.
In How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims draws on research, on conversations with admissions officers, educators, and employers, and on her own insights as a mother and as a student dean to highlight the ways in which overparenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large. While empathizing with the parental hopes and, especially, fears that lead to overhelping, Lythcott-Haims offers practical alternative strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary for success.
Relevant to parents of toddlers as well as of twentysomethings-and of special value to parents of teens-this book is a rallying cry for those who wish to ensure that the next generation can take charge of their own lives with competence and confidence.
