(We're looking at you, twinkle toes, top left corner)Although this post has nothing to do with my life, or where it will be in the next few years, I want to make a statement about coddled little kids. Parents everywhere are boosting egos, slapping their kids on the back, and cheering like a pack of wild idiots. These acts may seem like the greatest thing they can give to a child, the gift of love and nurture. But you're WRONG (according to my opinion and recent studies)! You're leading your child down the path of mediocrity or his/her very own low hanging fruit.
"Little Johnny, great job playing soccer today, you were the best player on the field!!" Wrong again Pops! Were you watching Mommy? Your kid sucks and you're to blame, maybe! Sheltering little Johnny from all life's hardships and not encouraging him to get better at something, whether it be soccer, the sax, or math, can be extremely detrimental. "Whatever doesn't kill you, will make you stronger." I'm not saying you should be mean to your kids, just be a realist.
"Great job walking up and down the field, maybe next time you can pay attention to the ball? Maybe try to kick it? Please? YOU'RE FUCKING EMBARASSING ME YOU LITTLE SHITHEAD! ALL MY FANTASY FOOTBALL PALS BUST MY BALLS NON-STOP!" Okay, maybe that last part was a little strong, but you get the idea.
Complimenting a child for actually doing something will boost self esteem and confidence, but complimenting a child for doing nothing? Why not just tie a blindfold over their eyes? To the future leaders of the free world: go for that high hanging fruit, but, if you feel like using the last scraps of the toilet paper, maybe even the cardboard roll, we're not going to judge.
Gregory Andrew Rose, MDUB 2006, mylowhangingfruitastic
I coach. If they do, I let kids know that they suck. however, i am an amazing coach, so most suckitude is quickly quelled by my mere presence.
ReplyDeleteI coached for years and parents either loved or hated me. I didn't sugar-coat things. My other pet peeve is that we give everyone trophies now for everything. Literally, a kid could go to one swim meet, practically drown, and would still get a trophy at the end. And I know what happens to these kids when they grow up. They come to GW and cry when they aren't given A's by their professor and say that they deserve an A because "they worked really hard". Well, t his professor has no sympathy!!!
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