The more we teach our kids that nature is dangerous, creativity is out of bounds and physicality is not to be tolerated, the more I worry for our society.

When did lying to a child in order to foster confidence become more important than teaching him coping skills and how to accept weakness or manage failure? When did babying a child become more imperative than teaching her the lesson that not all kids are winners all the time and in every arena?

Perhaps my heart is two sizes too small, but even as a kid, I was not a fan of playing dress-up and knocking on doors asking for handouts. It was awkward and degrading.

Written for Slate by Dan Kois I didn’t expect to be one of those parents who has opinions about playground equipment. Before we moved to the subu...

I often say that I have never actually met a helicopter parent. At least not one who describes themself that way. Everyone KNOWS a helicopter parent -- one who hovers and intrudes and smothers -- but they are always someone ELSE. I can't say that anymore.

Sometimes I purposely make the whirring noise of rapidly spinning propellers to punctuate the fact that like many Manhattan mothers I am called a "helicopter."

Fiction of all sorts, including nursery rhymes, allows us to try out conflict in a safe way. That's the point, it's where the thrill comes in; we're scared, then reassured the danger isn't real.

Are parents as a whole more protective these days? And where is the line drawn between good protection (seat belts and not letting your kids drink bleach) and being overprotective to where it is stifling for them. I think about this sometimes.

Overprotective parents here's a message for you: If you want your kids to get more activity, you may want to back off. Those are the findings from ...