Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting

A Wake-Up Call for Parents

In her groundbreaking book, Under Pressure, psychologist and author Jessica Lahey argues that we are raising a generation of children who are anxious, depressed, and stressed out. She blames this on the culture of hyper-parenting, which has led parents to become overly involved in their children's lives and to push them too hard to succeed.

Lahey draws on her own experiences as a parent and her work with children and families to provide a compelling case for why we need to change the way we are raising our children. She offers practical advice on how to reduce stress and anxiety in our children and how to help them develop the resilience they need to thrive in the 21st century.

The Dangers of Hyper-Parenting

Hyper-parenting is a parenting style that is characterized by excessive involvement in a child's life. Hyper-parents are often overprotective, controlling, and perfectionistic. They may also be overly focused on their child's academic and extracurricular achievements.

Hyper-parenting can have a number of negative consequences for children, including:

Increased anxiety and depression. Hyper-parenting can lead to children feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. They may also develop a fear of failure and a lack of self-confidence.
Reduced resilience. Hyper-parenting can prevent children from developing the coping skills they need to deal with challenges. They may become dependent on their parents and unable to handle setbacks on their own.
Increased entitlement. Hyper-parenting can lead to children feeling entitled to special treatment. They may also develop a sense of superiority over other children.
Poor social skills. Hyper-parenting can prevent children from developing the social skills they need to interact with others. They may become withdrawn and shy, or they may act out in aggressive ways.

How to Break Free from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting

If you are concerned that you may be a hyper-parent, there are a number of things you can do to change your parenting style. Here are a few tips:

Relax your expectations. Don't expect your child to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.
Give your child more freedom. Allow your child to make their own decisions and to learn from their mistakes.
Be supportive, not controlling. Offer your child your support, but don't try to control their every move.
Encourage your child to be independent. Help your child to develop the skills they need to take care of themselves.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercise, and relaxation. You can't be a good parent if you're not taking care of yourself.

Conclusion

Under Pressure is a must-read for parents who are concerned about the impact of hyper-parenting on their children. Lahey provides a wealth of information and advice on how to raise happy, healthy, and resilient children. If you want to give your child the best chance for success, I highly recommend reading this book.