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Too Much of a Good Thing : Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age
Too Much of a Good Thing Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age Author:Daniel J. Kindlon "We give our kids too much and expect too little of them." With these words, psychologist and bestselling author Dan Kindlon begins a journey that takes him from his groundbreaking research (with teenagers, parents, and educators) into an examination of the ways in which the emotional indulgence of parents deprives children of the opportunity to... more » learn from adversity. While many of the adolescents today have all the useful accessories of a prosperous society -- cell phones, credit cards, computers, cars -- they have few of the responsibilities that build character. Under intense pressure to be perfect and achieve, they devote little time to an inner life, and a culture that worships instant success makes it hard for them to engage in the slow, careful building of the skills that enhance self-esteem and self-sufficiency. In this powerful and provocative book, Kindlon delineates how indulged toddlers become indulged teenagers who are at risk for becoming prone to, among other things, excessive self-absorption, depression and anxiety, and lack of self-control. In searching interviews with educators, this book draws lessons from those working on the front lines with parents who too often think that they can buy their children's achievements and protect them from failure. There are also the voices of the kids, painfully confused by parental absence and lack of involvement in their lives. And there are the voices of the parents, including Kindlon himself, who are afraid to set limits, who want to be their children's friends rather than authority figures. who feel guilty about their work-obsessed lives. Amidst all these concerns and minefields, how can parents today raise competent kids with character? Dr. Kindlon reveals the data and dissects the behaviors that parents must be on the alert for in their children. Too Much of a Good Thing maps out the ways in which parents can reach out to their children, teach them engagement in meaningful activity, and promote emotional maturity and a sense of self-worth. It offers wisdom and enlightenment as an all-embracing guide into the hearts and minds of parents and children.« less