As parents, if we step in to combat every discomfort our child faces, give up our own lives to become deeply ingrained in theirs, and take on the role of friend, are we over-parenting? Some psychologists say yes, but there’s a spectrum. In this episode, psychologists Polly Young-Eisendrath and Madeline Levine join psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb for a conversation about finding a happy middle ground between over-parenting and under-parenting. Journalist Katie Couric guides the conversation that’s filled with anecdotes from the speaker’s own lives. Are parents fixing things too much? Or, giving out too many gold stars? Is such heavy attention making it harder for kids to grow up?
Read more about the topics mentioned in this episode.
- How to Land Your Kid in Therapy, The Atlantic
- Teach Your Children Well: Why Values and Coping Skills Matter More Than Grades, Trophies, or Fat Envelopes, Madeline Levine
- The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance, Polly Young-Eisendrath
- Julie Lythcott-Haims: What’s The Harm In Overparenting?, Ted Radio Hour
- Former Stanford Dean Says Overparenting Leads To Kids Being Unprepared For College, WBUR
“Aspen Ideas to Go” is a weekly show featuring fascinating speakers who have presented at the Aspen Ideas Festival and other public programs offered by the Aspen Institute. For a curated listening experience, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or find an archive of episodes here.
