Life isn’t fair and sometimes people have to learn to accept that. However, there is an extreme unfair situation going on in how children in our society are being raised that must be addressed! The ironic part of it all is that this unfair act is happening because of an attempt for “fairness.” For some reason, people have decided that it’d be a great idea to tell every child that they are a winner in every type of competition they are in. Now let me ask you, how is that in the least bit fair? How is it fair to the child who actually deserved to win? How is it fair that all these children who put no effort in are getting the same rewards as the kids who worked hard and tried their best to be successful? Kids are not dumb. They know when someone has done better than them. They know how winning is SUPPOSED to work.
So, here’s the lesson you are teaching children when you tell them that they are all winners. You are telling the kid who worked hard that putting in effort is unimportant. You are telling them that working hard gains them no extra rewards. They are going to begin to think that trying their best isn’t necessary to be successful and they are going to lose their competitive drive and motivation. Now, for the kids who already were not trying very hard, here is the lesson you are teaching them. You are teaching them that it is okay to be lazy. You are telling them that they do not need to work hard to get rewards and that doing nothing is going to get them just as far as all the other kids. You are completely taking away everything that could possibly give them motivation because you are just simply handing them something that they put no effort in to earn. With both types of children, the whole concept of motivation is being taken away. What’s the point in working hard if no matter what they do they will be rewarded?
Another thing you are teaching these children is to be weak. Our society is babying kids so much to the point that they are faking being hurt to gain more attention. I have been a games director for elementary aged kids for about four years. Every year this has been getting worse. When I was a kid, I was taught that if it just hurts a little, all you have to do is get up and walk it off. I was taught to be tough. I was taught to stand on my own and not cry over the little things. Now days, kids barely even get bumped into and begin to cry like it’s the end of the world. I’m sorry, but I am not going to give that kind of behavior my attention. Kids need to be learning that if they fall down, they need to get back up, and move on. It’s a life lesson. They need to know that if they are TRULY hurt, then yes, they should ask for help. However, if they don’t even have a single scratch and they just took a little fall, for gosh sakes, get up.We are humans. We are not THAT fragile. Being tough isn’t a natural thing. It’s taught. Stop teaching our kids to be weak. Stop teaching are kids to be whiney and constantly beg for attention. It’s unneeded. It’s not wanted. They are stronger than that and they need to know that! Give them that confidence!
Lastly, kids need to be taught responsibility. There are too many parents out there right now who are more concerned about covering their children’s butts instead of making them take the responsibility for their actions. How many times do you hear of a kid doing something wrong and the parent somehow defending their behavior or blaming some other factor? Excuse me? NO! Your kid did something wrong! Do not make up excuses for them. Do not defend them. You are only hurting them if you do this. They need to be punished. They need to have consequences. If you raise your children to believe they can get away with doing wrong, then one day they are most likely going to end up in jail. You will not always be there for them to come up with some excuse. Either you make them pay the consequences for their actions now, or the law will do it later. They need to be taught respect and discipline. If you love them, you will teach them how to do right and that when they do wrong, there are consequences. This is part of being a parent. You did not have this kid so that you could be their friend. It is YOUR responsibility to raise them to be a good quality human being. If they end up becoming a criminal, then yes, a big part of that is your fault. Then you will have to accept those consequences.
Ultimately, love your kids; be there for your kids, and for the benefit of our country, raise them right! Teach them that not everyone can be a winner. Teach them that in order to be a true winner, they will need to work hard and put in the effort. Reward them when they truly do try their best and encourage them to always be the best they can be. Do not teach them to be weak and always in constant need of attention. Teach them to be strong and to stand on their own two feet. Our kids need to one day become responsible adults! So please, take responsibility on yourself, and punish them when it is needed. Do not ever make excuses when your child has done wrong. Correct them and be their parent.
