Author Madeline Levine Speaks to DFW-Area Parents

10/24/2014

Madeline Levine, author of NYTimes bestselling books, The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well gave a talk at Hockaday School on the evening of Wednesday, October 22 and the morning of Thursday, October 23 for audiences of parents and teachers.

Levine’s message, part of the Common Ground speaker series, is about how to raise successful children in school, but more importantly in life. There are many societal interpretations of what that means and Dr. Levine addresses and debunks many, encouraging parents to foster passion, curiosity, resilience, self-control, independence, and overall social-emotional health.

Dr. Levine pointed out that only 1-10% of our population follow a straight and narrow path to “success”, with 90-99% following a more roundabout and exploratory path. Our society tends to have a narrow definition of what success means, focusing on conventional intelligence, college prestige, and corporate definition. When labeling someone as smart, Dr. Levine asks, “in what way?”

Dr. Levine would like to see parents broaden their definitions of successful trajectories and instead foster in their children the values that will lead to content, fulfilled lives. Her message is best summarized in her mission statement:

Parenting Mission Statement

Madeline Levine, PhD

While we all hope that our children will do well in school, we hope with even greater fervor that they will do well in life.

Our job is to help them know and appreciate themselves deeply, to be resilient in the face of adversity, to approach the world with zest, to find work that is sa)sfying, friends and spouses who are loving and loyal, and to hold a deep belief that they have something meaningful to contribute to the world.

Thank you Dr. Levine for coming to Dallas and spreading this important message! Learn more here: madelinelevine.com

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