MADELINE LEVINE'S TIPS FOR REDEFINING SUCCESS
• Consider the qualities that you hope your children have when they leave the nest. Resist parent peer pressure and trust your gut.
• Maintain playtime, downtime and family time. Avoid overscheduling.
• Love your children unconditionally. Make sure they know that they are loved for who they are, not only for how well they perform.
• Encourage appropriate risk-taking and let kids make mistakes. When possible, let kids play and work on their own.
• Set limits on TV, screen-based games, instant messages and computer use. An hour or less per day is a good starting point.
• Ease performance pressure. Instead of "How did you do on the test?" ask "How did the day go?"
• Debunk college myths. Make sure your children understand that there are many paths to success after high school.
GAIL ROSENBLUM