In the charged "Achievement Culture" we live in today, both parent and student anxiety have skyrocketed. There are the usual culprits, from a changing economic landscape to social media and comparison culture.
But ultimately, Michael Moynihan believes our professional and academic anxieties come from a crisis of meaning for the term 'work.'
Drawing on his experience as a math teacher, head of the upper school at The Heights, and father of a large family, Mr. Moynihan suggests that we can reduce anxiety by understanding 'work' not as a means of self-optimization or self-advancement, but primarily self-gift. Sanctifying our work tempers both extremes of anxiety and avoidance.
Chapters:
5:43 A results-based system meets parental pressure
8:16 Modern crisis of meaning for work
12:03 Helping young people see beyond the immediate, material
14:46 Sanctifying work for anxious students
20:57 Sanctifying work for avoidant students
25:12 Meaningful chores: an antidote to disordered work
28:02 Mastery over grades
Links:
Answering Anxiety by Michael Moynihan
The Father and His Family: A Guidebook for Aspiring, New, and Experienced Fathers by Michael Moynihan
Decisive Parenting: Forming Authentic Freedom in Your Children by Michael Moynihan
The Talk and Beyond: Raising Children in a Confused Culture by Michael Moynihan
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Children Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
Also on the Forum:
How to Not Be Anxious as a Parent by Alvaro de Vicente
Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham
Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham
Hopeful Parents, Hopeful Sons by Alvaro de Vicente
His Anxiety and Ours: Confessions of an Anxious Parent who Happens to Be a Therapist featuring Alex Berthé
Featured Opportunities:
Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)
Leaders Initiative, a year-long mentoring partnership for school leaders
