Resilience

Great article in the Atlantic about raising your children to be resilient. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/how-to-land-your-kid-in-therapy/8555/  It is natural for concerned parents to want their child to have a perfect life.  They want to protect the child from all of life's little disappointments and smooth away all difficulties.  Big mistake!  Results in "teapot" young adults who are so fragile they crack at the first adult stresses or, worse, continue to lean on you, the parents, for life.