Raising Adults

A new book by the former first Dean of Freshman Students at Stanford University, Julie Lythcott-Haims speaks to "overparenting" in her book "How to Raise an Adult." The takeaway quote is, "Our job is to ensure they have the skills, the confidence to fend for themselves." To read an interview with the author, go to "the parent trap." Commentary: Working in the field of parent education, I have witnessed both extremes of "helicopter parents" and the "no show parents." While schools are in earnest to get more hands-on parent involvement, it's important to remember, "do not do for your child, what they can do for themselves." In some instances, we have seen students, without parental help because of time and language challenges, learn to advocate for themselves and make the successful transition to college as independent and confidence adults. That is the goal.