I've studied hundreds of highly successful kids: The No. 1 parenting trend that worries me—and what to do instead
"Never Enough" author Jennifer Breheny Wallace has spent seven years interviewing high-achieving kids and their families. She reveals the most popular but potentially harmful parenting trend—and what kids really need from their parents.
TL;DR
- Achievement culture can lead to perfectionism, anxiety, and depression.
- Shifting a child's focus from self-evaluation to outward contribution builds a stronger sense of self-worth.
- Encourage children to notice needs around them and engage in acts of service, like helping neighbors.
- Integrate contribution into daily routines to help children see themselves as contributors.
- Model and explain the 'why' behind acts of care to provide children with a mental model for helping others.
- Focusing on contribution provides a potent antidote to excessive pressure in a culture that prioritizes achievement.