Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting cover image

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting

132: Never Enough: Confronting Toxic Achievement Culture (with author Jennifer Wallace)

Aug 22, 2023
Author and journalist Jennifer Wallace discusses her new book on toxic achievement culture. They address the harm of achievement pressure on kids, the puppy dog principle, and the one thing parents can do to make a difference. They explore the rise of perfectionism in young adults and the importance of mattering. Jennifer's book emphasizes prioritizing relationships and meaningful work for children's well-being.
39:29

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Parents can combat toxic achievement culture by creating a safe environment that values children for who they are, emphasizing strengths, and normalizing setbacks.
  • Mattering, or feeling valued, is crucial for child development, and parents can foster this by deeply appreciating their children for their true selves, beyond their accomplishments.

Deep dives

Building resilience and avoiding toxic pressure

One of the key insights from the podcast is the importance of building resilience and avoiding toxic pressure on children. The guest, Jennifer Wallace, highlights the need for parents to create a safe environment where kids feel valued for who they are, rather than basing their worth on achievements. She suggests that parents can buffer against external pressure by emphasizing their child's strengths, normalizing setbacks, and modeling their own failures as learning experiences.

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