The problem with most parents these days is that they give this illusion of authority to their kids. What's worse, this illusion is often misconstrued as expression of love, which is equal parts inaccurate and misleading.
We are here as parents to guide children to become decent, mature, and accountable adults who know their place in the world and who stretch their potentials as far as they can. We should set the bar high for our kids, and at an early age we should already acquiant them with realistic expectations. I am not saying that we should pressure our children to someday cure cancer or to be virtuouso pianists at age 9. By realistic expectations I mean acing the spelling quiz or winning the Science Fair for building a scientifically-accurate Tardis replica.
There should be no shame is demanding academic brilliance from our children. Remember: we do not automatically become snobs by putting more value in frequenting the library or in buying Russian literature than in One Direction posters.
Our goal here is not to raise 21st century brats who live in a bubble of instant gratification. Our goal here is to make sure they grow up to be honest, hardworking, respectful, well-rounded individuals who show up on time and who do not copy-paste passages from blogs just so they can sound knowledgeable or appear to have a command of the English language. I would give my own life to my daughter in a heartbeat if it comes to it, but there is no way in a million years that I will buy her the latest iPhone model on her 12th birthday.
Expecting greatness from our kids should be something innate to us parents. Because sometimes fulfilling that expectation is not the most important part of the learning process, but the acknowledgement of the expectation and the dedication to get there. Raising the bar of expectations for our children allow them to exploit every corner of their being. If we encourage excellence and critical-thinking, they will never be vulnerable to social prejudice nor will they easily sway to cultural norms and religious grey areas.
It is not part of our job to set up a fence of "what they should only be" that will box them in for the rest of their lives. We should allow them to shine, so that they may inspire the same radiance to others.
More than anything, I believe it is our duty as parents to make sure our children get the best possible care without necessarily alienating them from the harsh and often-crappy realities of the world. We should love them wholly, without judgment or criteria, but with that unconditional love should come authority and mutual respect. Our end-game should be raising individuals with good character and strong values, not 17-year olds who can treat their parents like potted plants when push comes to shove.
We are here as parents to guide children to become decent, mature, and accountable adults who know their place in the world and who stretch their potentials as far as they can. We should set the bar high for our kids, and at an early age we should already acquiant them with realistic expectations. I am not saying that we should pressure our children to someday cure cancer or to be virtuouso pianists at age 9. By realistic expectations I mean acing the spelling quiz or winning the Science Fair for building a scientifically-accurate Tardis replica.
There should be no shame is demanding academic brilliance from our children. Remember: we do not automatically become snobs by putting more value in frequenting the library or in buying Russian literature than in One Direction posters.
Our goal here is not to raise 21st century brats who live in a bubble of instant gratification. Our goal here is to make sure they grow up to be honest, hardworking, respectful, well-rounded individuals who show up on time and who do not copy-paste passages from blogs just so they can sound knowledgeable or appear to have a command of the English language. I would give my own life to my daughter in a heartbeat if it comes to it, but there is no way in a million years that I will buy her the latest iPhone model on her 12th birthday.
Expecting greatness from our kids should be something innate to us parents. Because sometimes fulfilling that expectation is not the most important part of the learning process, but the acknowledgement of the expectation and the dedication to get there. Raising the bar of expectations for our children allow them to exploit every corner of their being. If we encourage excellence and critical-thinking, they will never be vulnerable to social prejudice nor will they easily sway to cultural norms and religious grey areas.
It is not part of our job to set up a fence of "what they should only be" that will box them in for the rest of their lives. We should allow them to shine, so that they may inspire the same radiance to others.
More than anything, I believe it is our duty as parents to make sure our children get the best possible care without necessarily alienating them from the harsh and often-crappy realities of the world. We should love them wholly, without judgment or criteria, but with that unconditional love should come authority and mutual respect. Our end-game should be raising individuals with good character and strong values, not 17-year olds who can treat their parents like potted plants when push comes to shove.
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