We talk with author Michael Thompson, who argues in his new book that kids need summer camp more than ever. With today’s over-scheduled and over-protected children, Thompson says summer camp remains one of the few places where kids have to rough it, stretch their boundaries, and conquer the challenges of the great-outdoors.
This program was originally broadcast on 7/7/14
GUESTS:
- Michael Thompson – Is a psychologist and author of nine books on children and families, including his newest book, "Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow," which explores the summer camp experience in the age of so-called helicopter parents.
LINKS:
- a piece by Michael Thompson in the New York Times' parenting blog: "As a so-called “parenting expert,” I am struck by how often American parents think that the answer to their parenting dilemmas is for them to do more, or better, or to do something differently. I disagree. I often believe parents should do less, and should sometimes take themselves out of the picture, especially in the summer, when it’s easy to stop battling and turn some of the toughest parenting challenges over to 20- and 21-year-olds who can perform magic with their children."
