Monday, August 26, 2013

Afraid To Let Our Kids Hurt





Rules. It seems like we hate rules. Yet we live in a world that keeps creating more rules. New rules. All the time.

I see it in our government and I see it in our own neighborhoods. In our schools. In our restaurants.

Everywhere.

I can handle most rules. I realize they are there for a reason. I’m a “rule-follower” by nature. But even I have a problem with a trend I see happening.  I see the trend of rules being implemented because we are afraid someone might get hurt.

Do you remember teeter totters? I loved them. They aren’t around much anymore because…well…kids got hurt on them.

And does your child go to a school where they have to wear a school uniform? You know that started so that children would all look alike (or so they said.) So that no one would feel left out because of their financial or social status in life.

When I was growing up, we had a Taco Bell by a river. It had lots of cute squirrels that we could feed. I loved going there – mainly because I wanted to feed my leftover cheese and taco stuffings to the squirrels! But one day it stopped and there was a sign that said “please do not feed the squirrels.” Why? Because someone got bit.

Do you know what? You only get strong when you’ve been hurt. If you never get hurt, how do you expect to gain inner strength?  Yet we seem so afraid of letting our children get hurt!

Of course, no one wants their child to fall off the monkey bars. No one wants someone to suffer. But on the other hand, if someone feeds a squirrel and gets bit, don’t you think they will think twice before putting their hand too closely to the squirrel again?

Sometimes getting hurt is necessary.

Everyone CAN’T be included in everything. Everyone DOESN’T deserve an award for playing a sport. It’s okay to pick a couple out of the bunch for their achievements! If we don’t, what other incentive is there for our children to work harder?

I believe in guidelines, fairness, and boundaries. But sometimes we just take it too far. It hurts when those we love hurt – especially our children. But, I’d rather have my children get hurt a little bit and grow stronger, wiser, and kinder for it…than never get hurt at all and have a selfish, entitled, weak spirit.

We are so afraid of pain. Yet sometimes it’s the hurt and pain in our lives that have taught us the most.

4 comments:

Jen said...

i love this post! we live in a world where people let their children get away with murder rather than discipline them and have it be uncomfortable for a while so they learn a lesson.
everyone's a winner, there are no losers.
this type of mentality is what is wrong with our society today. you are right! why work hard? if you participated at any level you will get recognition, if you did absolutely nothing but show up you still get a ribbon so why waste your time trying. everyone has to be included because god forbid someone else's child gets something that yours doesn't. this subject makes me furious! can you tell? :o)
i could go on and on and ramble some more but i won't. you get my point.

Dionna said...

Jen - Thanks for leaving a comment! I'm so glad you liked this post and that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Thanks for sharing my post.

marygems said...

Dionna-you are speaking to me dear sister- having the same tough time at the moment- glad of praying friends and an understanding boss- but most of all for the wisdom God has been sending me daily which has comforted me and calmed down the panic,
Empathy flowing you way !!

May the strength we gain through these seasons be a blessing to others when it's their turn- just as your sharing today has blessed me,

Dionna said...

Marygems - I'm so sorry you're having a tough time with this at the moment. Hang in there and try not to panic. God's got this in His hands.:)