I have a problem with people who tell their kids or other kids that they have it easy. You have no idea what that child is going through. You're an adult, and they have to trust you.
By fantasizing a childhood full of hopscotch and chalk drawings in the middle of the street, you're telling that child that they are not strong enough. That what they have going on doesn't matter. You devalue them. And when their self worth is decreased, the bar they set for themselves is lowered.
They aren't stupid.
Treat them like they are people. People that need your protection and support to grow up healthy and secure, and they just might surprise you. I'm not saying you should let them do what they want. Kids need boundaries and rules. But they need to feel good too. Violent Games and Adult television shows are not for kids. It's your job to protect them from those things. You're their parent, not their friend. Kids will be exposed to a million things that are far too mature for them to process or experience properly. Don't add to that pile of potential reasons your kid gets screwed up.
Some valid points for sure. That said, in the present day we also see kids getting trophies just for showing up (not for succeeding) and teachers being disciplined for failing their students (who should deservedly fail on the basis of their work/effort, or lack thereof). Kids are far too sheltered/protected these days from their own inevitable failures, instead of being allowed to fail (which is important) and learning a valuable lesson from that failure. So, what we end up with is a bunch of 30+ year old individuals still living in their parents' basement because when real life neglected to hand them a participation trophy just for showing up, they did not have the skills and strength to cope with life and move forward when they stumble.
ReplyDeleteMy man! Haha could not have said it better myself (obviously) thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and contribute to the conversation :) share anything you like plz
DeleteAnytime, always willing to share my 2 cents, haha :)
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