Is it wrong of me to
believe that people (kids) shouldn’t get prizes just for showing up? Shouldn’t
they have to work hard to earn awards? I remember the feeling of pride and
accomplishment when I would win something at school (lots of academic awards). It diminishes the winners to give awards to
everyone. I feel like it might make the
winners feel like they shouldn’t even try next time, if they are not to be
distinguished for their efforts. My
5-year-old (Cougar) has a pre-k graduation next week, and my 6-year-old (Tyger)
has a kindergarten awards assembly. I
will be at both ceremonies, but I do not have to pretend to understand why
there is a need for them.
I love my kids to pieces, but I’m not big into
celebrating every little thing. Did I
save hair from their first haircuts? Nope.
Did I take monthly pictures of them as babies? Nope. I did take pictures, but only at random and
on holidays. My parenting style is more
laid-back (laissez-faire?) than some. I’m
not trying to be a helicopter mom OR a best friend. I’m trying to strike a balance between the
two. For example, I make sure Cougar
takes his medicine and that both boys take their showers every night, but I do
not hover over them making sure they brush their teeth. They know what they are supposed to do. They
play in the backyard unsupervised. At 5
and 6, they are old enough to be responsible for their own actions. They know right from wrong. I don’t need to be present for every second
of their lives anymore. Sometimes this
makes me sad, but it’s part of growing up.
I also believe that adults
should not be rewarded for nothing. I
have immense respect for people who earn their college degrees and/or
promotions at work. I also respect every
mother who has gone through a natural childbirth, every person who has achieved
a journeyman’s license, and every person who has completed a vo-tech
program.
You have to earn your way
in this world, and handing out awards to everyone who just shows up is not
setting a good example of real life for our children. This practice is setting the bar very low, so
that the kids don’t even have to try anymore.
