CONTENTS

A “Quick-Start” Guide

Disclaimer

Glossary

Introduction

Chapter 1: Are You Overparenting?

How Do You Know whether You Are Overparenting?

A Color Code for Parents

Parenting Archetypes

Hands On/Hands Off

Less Protection, More Communication

Chapter 2: Why Twenty-First-Century Parenting Seems So Hard

What to Expect When Everyone Is Telling You What to Expect

How Did Overparenting Begin?

A Brief History of Parenting

The Psychology of Children

Spock Talk

Children of the 1960s

The Changing Paradigm of Parenting

Who’s Minding the Store?

Raising a Global Child in Today’s Society

The Big Three Parenting Styles

Mindful Parenting

Your Child’s School as Co-Parent

Ban Those Balls!

Whose Education Is This, Anyway?

Managing Expectations

Overparenting or Just Plain Dumb?

The Ethical Road Is Forked

Chapter 3: How Does Overparenting Happen?

Defining Success

In the Beginning

Caution: Fragile Contents Inside

Testing! Testing! Testing!

Parental Aptitude Test

Aptitude versus Fortitude

From Playdates to Preschool: Too Much Programming

To Schedule or to Chill?

But What If?

Do I Have to Wear a Helmet to Bed?

Techno Wars

Which Parents Are Most Susceptible to Overparenting?

A Warning to Divorcing Parents

Communication Gaps May Lead to Overparenting

Who Are You Really Helping?

Fighting the Odds

Chapter 4: The Agony and the Ecstasy of Your Active Child

Like It or Not

Performance Isn’t Everything

The Curse of Electronics and the War of the Thumbs

Louis C. K. Explains Why He Doesn’t Want His Kids to Have Smartphones

The Free-Play Challenge

Bullying: Defining Our Role as Parents

“I Coulda Been a Contenduh”

Whatever Happened to Pickup Ball?

Friday Night Lights to the Rescue

Not Everyone Can Play Quarterback

Chapter 5: How Overparenting Affects Your Child—and You

Intensive Parenting

The Overparenting Equation: Cause and Effect for Your Child and You

Overparenting = A Lack of Trust

Overparenting = Inadequate Life Skills

Overparenting = Fear of Failure

Overparenting = Reduced Self-Esteem

Overparenting = Feelings of Entitlement

Overparenting = Lack of Creativity

Overparenting = Irresponsible and Unaccountable Young Adults

Overparenting = Bad Role Modeling

Overparenting = Inept Children

Overparenting = Increased Anxiety

Overparenting = Compromised Resilience

Does Overparenting Affect You, Too?

Which Child Is Yours?

Chapter 6: The Long Arms of Overparenting

The Technology Trap

East versus West

Considering Independent College Counselors

When Parents Can’t Let Go

The Effects of Overparenting on College Graduates

How Overparenting Affects You as a Parent

Choosing a Different Path

Chapter 7: Looking Forward and Letting Go

Whose Success Are You Really Seeking?

Through the Looking Glass: A Personal Note from George S. Glass, MD

A Prescription for Healthy Parenting

A Cautionary Tale from the Tabatsky Files

The Trickle-Down Effects of Stay-at-Home Dads

What Children Really Want Their Parents to Do with Them

The Parenting Paradox

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Notes