Parents, maybe give the kids a break

Newfound awareness of the struggles of kids who face high expectations to perform in some communities has started a conversation — and new initiatives — among their parents.

Getty Images The Word Cup is a world celebration, and that celebration needs a soundtrack It's World Cup time — and there is a long, sometimes proud and often embarrassing history of international pop stars creating confections for the games. So with the tournament beginning this week in Russia, we ranked a handful of this year's foremost songs on their own aesthetic terms, irrespective of politics, nationalistic impulses or previous fandom of the artists. Hey, the World Cup is the big leagues — every entrant deserves a chance at glory. Evan Vucci/AP President Trump had a lot to say about his summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, and we listened carefully President Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday in Singapore. The two signed a joint statement committing to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. After the summit, Trump spoke to reporters about the meeting and took questions. Read a transcript of the press conference provided by the White House, with notes, context and analysis by NPR reporters. Francesco Zorzi for NPR The perils of pushing kids too hard Part of a parent's job is to help kids do their best, but pushing too hard can backfire. Research shows kids in high-achieving communities are at higher risk of anxiety, depression and substance use. So what can parents do? One group of parents is trying to shift the culture to balance the focus on achievement with an emphasis on well-being. Part of the equation is freeing up kids to find their own motivation and life path. Mario Tama/Getty Images In Puerto Rico after Maria, the blame game continues NPR and the PBS series Frontline examined hundreds of pages of internal documents and emails. Rather than showing a well-orchestrated effort, they paint a picture of a relief agency in chaos, struggling with key contracts, basic supplies and even its own workforce. "It is heartbreaking to learn that the more we closely examine [Hurricane Maria's] aftermath, the clearer we see the federal government failed the people of Puerto Rico," said U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson. Pixar Hard to live up to its predecessor, but 'The Incredibles 2' gives it a heroic effort NPR critic Glen Weldon says the virtuosic 2004 animated movie The Incredibles is the best superhero film that has ever been made and is likely the best superhero film that ever will be made. "This is a fact — a cold, hard one." And while hard to live up to, he says the sequel has all of the original's charming particulars — the design, the music, the characters The action is fittingly spectacular, the music is great, and the whole thing looks fantastic..   Crossing Cultural Bridges From #MeToo to how to teach preschoolers, Rough Translation is back with five new stories that explore how other countries and cultures deal with the issues we face in the U.S. The first episode is about the challenges of a public apology. Saying sorry can be hard — so hard that Japan has spent 70 years trying to get the words right. Now there is one more chance to apologize to some World War II veterans before the last of them has passed. The pressure is on. Hear familiar conversations told in unfamiliar places. Subscribe to Rough Translation. You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002