Julie Lythcott-Haims, former freshman dean at Stanford University, and Jessica Lahey, middle school teacher and writer, have recently published books with similarly instructive messages to modern parents: back off. Nurture, guidance and support are needed when it comes to raising a child, but an increasing number of students also expect unconditional praise and shared responsibility for academic achievement. Putting a stop to this unhelpful overprotective trend, for Lahey and Lythcott-Haims, means preparing students to be lifelong, independent learners. (NPR)
Eleanor Dearman is a former reporting fellow. She majored in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. She has also interned for the San Antonio Express-News in its Austin bureau covering Texas... More by Eleanor Dearman
