As parents try to foster their children's "unique spark" and nurture their authentic selves, some are actually prohibiting their kids from growing up. Parents who don't let their kids assume greater responsibility, self-reliance, and self-possession as they get older are stunting their child's maturity. "We see a lot of behaviors that you might associate with younger children, but they're still present in these older children," said Glickman. Some to watch out for are:
• Your kid interrupts
• Your kid doesn't listen the first time
• Your kid doesn't say please
• Your kid never says thank you
• Your kid is typically rude to grown-ups
• Your kid lies
• Your kid has a similarly rude best friend
• Your kid won't do their homework
• Your kid is wasteful
• Your kid is a terrible traveller
• Your kid won't take no for an answer