Quotes by Julie Lythcott-Haims

“ Life is not about getting to some perfect destination that gives everyone else FOMO. “

-Julie Lythcott-Haims-

Life is not about getting to some perfect destination that gives everyone else FOMO.

We're depriving our kids of the chance to do the work of life for themselves.

Happiness and self-confidence can be the by-products of other things, but they cannot really be goals unto themselves.

If you're overfocused on your kid, you're quite likely underfocusing on your own passion.

Taking the long view, we need to teach our kids street smarts, like the importance of walking with a friend instead of alone, and how to discern bad strangers from the overwhelming majority of good ones.

Not only does overparenting hurt our children; it harms us, too. Parents today are scared, not to mention exhausted, anxious, and depressed.

The goal of childhood is not to raise a successful child, but to raise a competent, self-sufficient adult.

Resilience is built from real hardship and cannot be bought or manufactured.

Introducing Julie Lythcott-Haims

Julie Lythcott-Haims, born in 1967 in Lagos, Nigeria, is an American educator, author, and politician. She moved to the United States with her parents in 1969 and grew up in various small towns across New York, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Her father, Dr. George Ignatius Lythcott, was a distinguished pediatrician and public health official, serving as Assistant Surgeon General under President Jimmy Carter. Her mother, Jean Snookes, is a retired educator and professor.

Lythcott-Haims earned a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from California College of the Arts. She began her career as a corporate lawyer before transitioning to academia, where she served as the Dean of Freshmen and Undergraduate Advising at Stanford University. In this role, she was recognized with the 2010 Dinkelspiel Award for her significant contributions to undergraduate education.

As an author, Lythcott-Haims has written several impactful books. Her 2015 work, "How to Raise an Adult," critiques overparenting and advocates for fostering independence in children. In 2017, she published "Real American: A Memoir," which explores her experiences growing up as a Black and biracial individual in predominantly white communities. Her 2021 book, "Your Turn: How to Be an Adult," offers guidance to young adults navigating the complexities of adulthood.

In addition to her writing, Lythcott-Haims has been active in public service. She was elected to the Palo Alto City Council in November 2022, where she focuses on issues such as affordable housing, climate change, and youth mental health. In 2023, she announced her candidacy for California's 16th congressional district.