Friday, November 18, 2016

GPS event with Julie Lythcott-Haims "How to Raise an Adult" - takeaways and resources


On Nov. 16 and 17, former Stanford University dean Julie Lythcott-Haims presented Glenbard Parent Series programs based on her best-selling book, "How to Raise an Adult:  Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success."

Glenbard East parent Ruth Vitale (left)
with  Julie Lythcott-Haims and
Glenbard West Principal Peter Monaghan 
Glenbard East parent Ruth Vitale shared the following takeaway: "When we over-parent, it sends a message to our kids, `You can't do this without me.' It also deprives them of the opportunity to feel good about their own accomplishments (which can lead to depression) and learn important life skills like self-efficacy. Our job as parents is to teach our children to become problem-solvers and to ultimately put ourselves out of a job."

Paul Gordon, Glen Ellyn School District 41 superintendent, attended the presentation on Nov. 17 and shared this takeaway: "We have to increasingly and deliberately put opportunities for our students' independence before them.  Parents succeed when we have raised our children to successful adulthood."


Resources