Trying to Be Happy is Making Kids Miserable with Dr. Jonathan Eckert

The pressure to be endlessly happy is leaving the next generation more anxious and isolated than ever.  In his new book, The Happiness Crisis: How Adversity Can Build a Resilient and Joyful Next Generation, Dr. Jonathan Eckert calls for a culture shift that we can begin at home. How do we embrace adversity and see the value of challenges, instead of becoming parents who make everything too easy?  Dr. Eckert explains the biblical connection between joy and struggle, and why removing adversity — "snowplow parenting" — prevents kids from developing resilience. Arlene and Jon work through real-life scenarios, including a child facing bullying and a teen caught using AI to cheat on a school assignment. The conversation closes with practical steps for helping kids rediscover purpose and joy through community and faith. Dr. Jonathan Eckert is a former middle school teacher and basketball coach who worked in the Bush and Obama Department of Education. He has a PhD from Vanderbilt, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership.    02:35  Why the pursuit of happiness backfires 03:29  How phones and comparison fuel kids' unhappiness 04:57  Snowplow parents vs. building "muscles around the backbone" 09:15  Roleplay: what to say when a kid is bullied at school 14:40  Roleplay: when a teen gets caught using AI to cheat 21:18  My teacher story: destructive vs. productive struggle 28:17  The "man in the arena" quote and the ABCs of joy   Connect with Dr. Jonathan Eckert at jonathaneckert.org or on Linkedin. Grab a copy of Dr. Eckert's book The Happiness Crisis.  More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Watch the podcast on Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email [email protected] Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE)   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.