A Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting

A friend recommended this to me when I was talking to her about not putting Stockton in preschool co-op this year even though "everyone else" is. I thought it sounded interesting and thought you guys might be interested, too. Here is the synopsis.

Wake up, America: We’re raising a nation of wimps. Hara Marano, editor-at-large and the former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today, has been watching a disturbing trend: kids are growing up to be wimps. They can’t make their own decisions, cope with anxiety, or handle difficult emotions without going off the deep end. Teens lack leadership skills. College students engage in deadly binge drinking. Graduates can’t even negotiate their own salaries without bringing mom or dad in for a consult. Why? Because hothouse parents raise teacup children—brittle and breakable, instead of strong and resilient. This crisis threatens to destroy the fabric of our society, to undermine both our democracy and economy. Without future leaders or daring innovators, where will we go? So what can be done?

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-deficit Disorder

Last Child in the Woods

By Richard Louv

It has been awhile since we read last. I think it's time to get back in the swing of it. Amy selected this book, and I think it's one we can all relate to and enjoy. Mel, Amy & I both have it so get it soon so we can discuss as we go. Summary below:

In this influential work about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and many are right in our own backyard.