Welcome to hothousemoms.com, an advice-oriented website designed to help parents raise children who will grow up to be emotionally healthy, well-rounded adults able to live successful, fulfilled lives.

It is clear that our children are under enormous pressure to perform in and out of the classroom, on the playing field, or in the recital room. Out of necessity, our homes are being transformed into “hothouses” to cultivate and produce the Honor Roll characteristics demanded in today’s competitive academic environment. We all spend enormous time and money “packaging” our children in an effort to get them into the top schools.

But we also need to focus on the feelings, imagination, unique personalities and inner character of our children. Despite our best wishes, not all children are meant to be on the elite school path and will be just fine without it. Look around you if you have any doubt. .
How, in the reality of our current culture, can we nurture and develop our children’s inner selves? How do we NOT manage their every move, NOT solve their every problem, and NOT launch them into the real world ill prepared and with unrealistic expectations?

With hothousemoms.com we will present expert advice from specialists in psychology, admissions and education, plus the voices of the children themselves. Through interviews, Q&A, tips and tactics, we will help today’s parents figure out how to find the balance required to raise children who are able to meet the competitive challenges of our culture, yet who also possess the necessary grit, creativity and values to live successfully in the real world.

• Do you ever worry that your child might not be “doing as much” as other kids?
• Can you recall going through a week and not asking how they did on something or whether they won a game?
• Have you guided your child into activities more for how it will look on his/her resume than for the pure enjoyment of it?
• Are you appalled that your child has to have a resume?
• Have you ever reviewed and edited your child’s work, with or without his/her permission, or hired a tutor to do so?
• Have you ever contacted your child’s teacher or school administration to change a grade, improve your child’s status at the school, or solve a conflict for your child?
• Do you excuse your children from doing chores around the house because you think they are too busy?
• Does your child have less than 15 free hours a week?
• Have you ever used a tutor or coach to give them an edge?

If you have answered yes to five or more questions, join this club. If not, go to the Rant & Rave Room and help the rest of us.

GO TO RANT & RAVE ROOM