This was a very entertaining and thought-provoking quick read about parent/teacher/student high school drama, and the collateral damage that it can cause. Liston Heights High School will seem very familiar to many: privileged but stressed-out students, over-involved parents, and teachers and administrators walking on egg shells.

I hate to admit it, but the high school theater angle hit very close to home, though I think that would be true if it had been about the volleyball team or the debate team, or any competitive endeavor. Both of my children have been involved in the arts (one in musical theater and the other as a classical ballet dancer) so I know this world well, and I know how hard it is to find the right level of involvement — you want to support your kid’s dream but you don’t want to become “that mom.” Also, our school, like most public schools, relies on the time and money provided by parents — it’s essential to the survival and viability of most programs. Yet, how do we balance that necessary involvement with being too involved and too invested? These are tough questions and I don’t have the answers, but as a parent I think it’s important to think about these things.

Recommended!