Two Articles on the Dangers of "Over-Parenting"

Two Articles on the "Dangers of Over-Parenting"

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/26/18469581-helping-or-hovering-when-helicopter-parenting-backfires?lite 

http://uanews.org/story/the-dangers-of-overparenting


A colleague shared these two related articles with me recently.  We've all, of course, heard horror stories of "helicopter parents" who are eager to swoop in and smooth any bump in the road that arises for their children.  This is among the first studies I'm aware of that attempts to look objectively at this phenomenon and its implications for the children involved.

The issue, of course, is far more nuanced than it is usually portrayed.  Parents who might be considered over-involved are not oblivious monsters, nor are they intending to stunt the development of their children.  Most of us as parents are simply trying to do the best we can to help our children realize their potential and go on to live meaningful lives.  But parenting is a relentlessly humbling experience, and it's worthwhile to consider the impact of even the most well-intentioned methods.

In the end, there are no easy answers to the question of what level of involvement constitutes excessive and potentially damaging parenting.  Studies and articles like these are useful prompts to parents' thinking about how we each approach the strenuous and rewarding work of making ourselves obsolete to our children.

"I Don't Know": Words to Live By

Recently, I opened my Inbox and found this article, which had been emailed to myself and some of my colleagues by a student in our Upper School.  I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, the article itself or the fact that a student was interested in sharing it with us.  One of the great perks of life as a teacher is that you are constantly having your eyes opened to new perspectives by the very people you are there to teach. 

I love the theme of this piece, that openness to our own uncertainty is actually the only real path to knowledge.  As Shakespeare wrote, “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” Humility and honesty in the face of the astoundingly complex issues and ideas all around us changes one's focus from frustration at the inability to master all topics to excitement at the intellectual adventures that stretch before us.  We should all be wise enough to know just how foolish we are!

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/the-power-of-i-dont-know/