Comments on: Sunday Reading: The Kindergarchy

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:12:51 +0000

mathyoo; Thanks. Actually, it was funny because I was recently interviewed by a local radio station and we were talking about the “gray area” between over-parenting and under-parenting. One of the hosts asked if it was possible to show too much love or praise, so much that it can have a negative effect, citing something about always telling your child that they’re “smart” or “pretty” can have the opposite effect. I joked that as long as you tell them they are “stupid and ugly” often enough to balance it out you should be fine. (I made it clear I was joking!) But that example makes it really quite clear both (a) how tough it is to balance the attention issue and (b) how the obvious answer probably isn’t the right one.

By: mathyoo

mathyoo — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:05:30 +0000

Great post! I know that I definitely need to work harder at letting my daughter be independent. I often feel guilty for either being overly attentive or not attentive enough, and I know I need to spend more time in the “gray area” you wrote about.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:22:50 +0000

Thanks. I’ll probably do that!

By: Blake

Blake — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:25:28 +0000

Good post! You were asking a few days ago for which of your posts should be submitted to the carnival. I’d love to see this one there. It’s unique, addresses both parenting and critical thinking, and is a good example of the writing that’s on this blog.