Happier Parents, Happier Kids Pt 2: Letting Children Try and Fail

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

07-11-2022 • 31 mins

It's tempting to tie a child's shoe lace, tidy their rooms or help with their science projects - to see that these tasks are done right - but parents are depriving their kids of the valuable experience of falling, failing, and f-ing up.

Former Stanford dean Julie Lythcott-Haims says these "f words" are vital for children if they are to grow into happy, capable and autonomous adults. While Yale psychologist Julia Leonard warns that interfering too often in a child's life can actually teach them that trying isn't even worth the effort.

Further reading:

Michaeleen Doucleff - Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy Helpful Humans.

Julie Lythcott-Haims - How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success.

Marty Seligman - Authentic Happiness

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Might Like

Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Apostrophe Podcast Network
Roz & Mocha
Roz & Mocha
Frequency Podcast Network
This American Life
This American Life
This American Life
Literally! With Rob Lowe
Literally! With Rob Lowe
Stitcher & Team Coco, Rob Lowe
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe
Apostrophe Podcast Network
We Can Do Hard Things
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle and Audacy
The Viall Files
The Viall Files
Nick Viall
The Record Room
The Record Room
Jaden Green
Criminal
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Rachel Goes Rogue
Rachel Goes Rogue
iHeartPodcasts
COMMONS
COMMONS
CANADALAND