Teach Your Children Well

May 7, 2012
In this powerful text, psychologist Levine (The Price of Privilege) argues that “our version of success is a failure.” Levine reports that our nation’s ideas of success have led to children and teens who are stressed, anxious, depressed, and exhausted (as are many parents). Kids are on a fast track to higher grades and impressive tests scores, prestigious colleges, and relentless competition—goals that are wearing everyone out—rather than focusing on such skills as resilience, creativity, innovative thinking, and the ability to collaborate. While academics are important, Levine maintains, growing up to become authentically successful involves making friends, playing, developing a sense of self and emotional intelligence, and many other nonacademic tasks. In separate chapters, the author takes readers through the stages of child development that occur in elementary, middle school, and high school, and includes practical tips on how parents can help kids flourish during each phase. According to Levine, our society is at a “tipping point,” and it’s time to redefine success so that kids can meet their full potential in academic and other areas without relinquishing their well-being. The text also includes various examples that illustrate the ways in which kids and parents are struggling with our “dysfunctional system.” Though bucking the trend may be a challenge, parents who want their kids to succeed without compromising their health or losing the joy of learning will be buoyed by Levine’s support, encouragement, and guidance.

March 1, 2012

For psychologist Levine, whose New York Times best seller, The Price of Privilege, netted more than 125,000 copies in hardcover and paperback, parenting is not about raising top-scoring wunderkinder. Instead, we need to teach children that success is defined in terms of having a sense of purpose and well-being. As the tiger mama debates continue raging, this book should have lots of appeal. With a 75,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2012
Practical advice for raising well-rounded and successful children. Psychologist, author and co-founder of Challenge Success, Levine (The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids, 2006, etc.) draws on 30 years of counseling experience and current research to debunk contemporary thoughts on raising children. Beginning in preschool, parents and teachers push their students to obtain good grades and high SAT scores and participate in numerous extracurricular activities, with the end goal of attending a prestigious college. While these are still worthwhile endeavors, Levine offers readers hands-on solutions to "optimize conditions so that a far greater number of children can actually be successful without the accompanying high levels of distress that have become so prevalent." Today, there is too much emphasis on driving children toward an often unrealistic and narrow definition of achievement, creating a generation of young adults at "high risk for emotional, psychological, and academic problems." Through the use of scenarios from her own experience of raising three sons, as well as instances from her clinical practice, Levine provides examples of common situations encountered while raising children and suggests new solutions to handle these situations. The author's approach includes unconditional love, empathy, stimulating challenges, a safe environment that encourages curiosity, and discipline when necessary. With these tools, Levine believes all children are capable of leading "satisfying, meaningful, and authentically successful lives" without the accompanying stress, panic and exhaustion commonly seen in adolescents. A rethinking of the term "success" provides new insight on how to raise today's youth.

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