If so, William J. Doherty, family scientist, author and educator, has the antidote and he will share it in a free public meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, May 7, in the Shadle Park High School Auditorium. He is director of the marriage and family therapy program in the University of Minnesota department of family and social science. Doherty urges parents to reclaim family life from over-scheduled family hyperactivity and the consumer culture. The family scientist says today's parents are more accepting of different types of families and have a better understanding of children's developmental needs than parents a generation or two ago. But, children today are over scheduled and their families are under connected, he says.
Parents are more sensitive, but more afraid to exercise authority.
And children are overwhelmed with consumerism. There is lots of research on its value. It's the one time in the day when the family can come together in conversation and nourishment. Kids are adrift without it, unless another ritual replaces it. Doherty believes young children need routine bed times and bedtime rituals.