The Perils Of Pushing Kids Too Hard, And How Parents Can Learn To Back Off - NPR

The Perils Of Pushing Kids Too Hard, And How Parents Can Learn To Back Off - NPR

NPR's Alison Aubrey and Jane Greenhalgh report on the the stresses affluent parents put on their high-achieving children. They tell the story of a student so overwhelmed, she tried to cut herself with scissors.

"'I totally bought into the idea we're supposed to push our kids to achieve. When they encounter obstacles, we push [them] to overcome those,' Genevieve Eason, the student's mother, says. But pushing too hard can backfire." 

A recent NIH study shows that students are using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. This doesn't come as a big shocker, really, but it sounds like the adults are finally starting to tune in—and in this case, take action to support their students.

Read more about how that support went down here.

Illustration: Francesco Zorzi for NPR

Model Graciousness - Visible Child

Model Graciousness - Visible Child

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