Topic —  From the Editor's Desk,

Are We Over-Parenting Our Kids?

June 28, 2011
Minnow Hamilton

June is almost over and I, for one, am not sad that the first summer seasonal month is coming to an end. That’s a heavy statement for one who likes to cherish every bit of summer, but I think most moms would agree that June is as crazy as December. End of school now means graduations (nursery school grads are very sweet but really?), then there are the gifts, the dance recitals, end-of-year parties, cupcakes and track meets…In fact, we are running a poll asking moms which month they find more exhausting and found that 30% said June was worse than December.

How many of us have asked the question (maybe not out loud)…“How did our parents live through this stress, or did they?” I can’t help but think they did not. And we turned out OK, right?

Then someone sent me this parenting-themed article from the New York Times about whether or not the amount we do for our kids has any impact at all on their happiness. It doesn’t speak directly to the June craziness, but it does allude to how much our generation does as parents.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think we should undo the good we are doing, but I think we could all use a dose of ‘keep it in check’. This article is an interesting read at a time when we are all gearing up for the summer months, and looking for ways to keep the kids entertained and happy.

Have a read through and let me know if you think we are doing too much for our kids? More importantly, answer me this: who are we really doing it for—us or them?

Comments

1. Posted by petitegourmand on June 30, 2011 at 01:59 AM

   I’m glad it’s not just me, what a month it has been!
   the last day of school today felt like boxing day.
   love that NY times article too.

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