On Tuesday night, we hosted Hara Marano, the author of “A Nation of Wimps.”  

Hosted by our PTF, it was an interesting evening as Hara shared the insights gleaned from her research.  Attendees asked thought-provoking questions which helped facilitate discussion.

Whether or not you were able to attend Tuesday night’s presentation, I thought I would summarize some of her talking points.  On the main slide, she stated that the goal of raising a child is to produce an independent adult who can A) think for him/herself, B) make decisions for him/herself, C) function in a democracy, D) contribute to the economy, and E) experience satisfaction and happiness.

She also listed 12 practical things parents can do to help make the above goal a reality:

1.  Provide unstructured, unmonitored play.

2.  Eat dinner together.

3.  Learn how to criticize your child appropriately.

4.  Keep professional values at the office.

5.  Quit hovering over your kids.

6.  Teach your kids how to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty.

7.  Learn how to praise your kids appropriately.

8.  Encourage risk taking and problem solving in your kids.

9.  Allow your kids to fail.

10.  Give your children increasing responsibility for their own lives.

11.  Take achievement pressure off your kids.

12.  Act rationally and not out of panic mode.

All of this is solid, practical advice to raising children for independent living.

Of course, more important than the advice above is sharing and modeling Christ’s love to your children, bringing them to the waters of baptism, educating them in a Christian school, praying with them and for them, and worshipping regularly with them.  The goal, ultimately in child rearing, is the soul.