Redefining "success" to raise heathier, happier kids

I recently authored this piece for the SmartBean magazine, and thought I'd share it here - Redefining “Success” to Raise Healthier, Happier Kids. I think it's an important message that needs to get out, so that everyone can work together to de-stress our middle and high schoolers - not just parents, but teachers, schools and communities as well.

Tags: college-admissions, highschool, stress

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Comment by Shuchi Grover on October 7, 2009 at 11:42am: We all make mistakes.

I have a son in 8th grade who is already taking HS level courses - he's very driven and hard on himself, so the issue is close to my heart. We're working hard to bring some balance to his life. My husband takes him out on bike rides, we make sure he spends time outdoors even if just to swing and clear his head. But the fact that we _do_ value academic achievement as well probably comes through even though we never ever explicitly demand good grades and high test scores.

A lot of it is cultural too - asian american families tend to place academics above all else, and that can be very tough on some kids..