In this episode, we sit down with Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult, to explore how well-intentioned parenting can sometimes get in the way of the very skills children need to become capable, confident adults.

Julie unpacks the rise of the “checklisted childhood,” where success can become defined by grades, activities, achievements, and getting into the “right” school, and explains how this pressure can undermine independence, self-efficacy, and a child’s ability to discover who they really are. We talk about why parents often overhelp out of love and fear, how to know when support becomes overparenting, and why struggle, failure, responsibility, and everyday life skills are so important for healthy development.

We also explore how parents can step back without becoming disconnected, support anxious or struggling children without rescuing them, and shift from managing a child’s life to becoming a trusted guide. Julie offers a powerful reminder that the goal of parenting is not to create a perfect childhood, but to prepare children to navigate adulthood with confidence, resilience, and a sense of ownership over their own lives.

Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and former Stanford dean. She is best known for How to Raise an Adult, which explores how overparenting and achievement culture can undermine children’s independence, resilience, and self-confidence—and how parents can better prepare kids to become capable, self-directed adults.

Get Julie's Book "How to Raise an Adult"

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