I recently had the opportunity to read the essay by Amy Chua entitled "Why Chinese Moms are Superior", found here. This was a very challenging read for me as a parent. It tested every westernized instinct I have. Preserve their self esteem at all cost, don't yell, don't demoralize, don't hurt their feelings..... This list goes on. There are so many parenting donts out there are there anything we should do?
As Western parents I like to think that we try our best to create well rounded mini-me's but is that what we're really doing? I think we may be raising a generation of children who aren't in touch with the reality that life isn't always fair and sometimes very bad things happen no matter how hard you try. Now when there are team sports everyone plays, no matter how horrible they are. Where on earth did this idea come from? When did it become okay to send the kid out to center field who can't catch, is chasing butterflies, and hasn't had a hit all year? I believe it does more harm than good. That kid knows they suck and they know they are deep in center field because no one is going to hit the ball to them. But we insist on teaching them that the world is fair and everyone gets a chance. In a way its true everyone does get a chance, but your attempts should be focused on something you actually can succeed in. Not just another activity to fill the calendar!
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