Underestimate Kids
By Kewkumber
@Ladypeace (2028)
Singapore
February 22, 2016 8:44am CST
I’ve seen parents who stifle their kids because they’ve underestimated what they’re capable of. For instance, over protective parents who refuse to let their 5 year old handle a fork and knife. Unbeknownst to the adults, kids are more capable than they think.
2010: 3 year old toddler Alesaundra Tafoya took off from her home down several blocks to the fire station to get medical help for her father who had collapsed in the living room. When she arrived at the station, Alesaundra explained to fire fighters than her father was “frozen”. She swiftly escorted rescuers back to her home where her father was sitting in the living room in need of medical attention. The little toddler who saved her daddy’s life had been taught that the fire station was the place to go whenever help was needed – and she remembered.
2014: 6 year old pre-schooler Dominick Andujar got his throat fatally slit when he was trying to protect his 12 year old sister as she was being raped by a man inside their home. Dominick’s heroic act gave his sister the opportunity to escape from their home where she was rescued. When paramedics got to her, they reported knife wounds so deep in her neck that her vocal cords were exposed. The man received a life sentence for his brutal crimes.
To parents, love and encourage your children and never be afraid to trust them with responsibility.
Do we underestimate kids?
4 people like this
6 responses
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
23 Feb 16
Wow! Those kids are so bright & intelligent. As a little kid - we were told not to play with knives, forks, etc. But now I think it's a new era where kids are so much smarter at a younger age.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
23 Feb 16
@Ladypeace Yes - I agree! Kids sometimes say the silliest thing on a mature level also! 
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Feb 16
Every child varies in their level of capability. But I feel that it's better if we encourage them to test their limits rather than to place a limit on what they can do right at the start.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382025)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 16
@Ladypeace I would agree completely with this. Some kids have no idea about a lot of things.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Feb 16
It's a hard knock life for the early settlers, kids are luckier these days and some are even spoiled. One of the weaknesses of human nature is complacency when privileged. I feel that kids need to experience a bit of a toil to understand how things came about and to appreciate what they've got.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Feb 16
Yes, they can go a very long way at a tender age if we allow them to explore their potential.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Feb 16
Yes, we as adults should really learn to loosen up a bit and expect more out of our children instead of limiting them based on what we believe they can do.
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
22 Feb 16
Wow! What stories. It reminds me when my 7 year old son took piano lessons. We dropped him off and returned over an hour later. During a break, his teacher had him cooking eggs for her dog and chopping things with a knife. We never let him near the stove or handle a knife. We were too over protective. Not so with our younger son. Children are amazing!
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Feb 16
I'm glad you've enjoyed the stories. I think you knew how to set boundaries for your sons seeing how well they've turned out. And yeah, children are amazing and more so if we spur them on to break their own limits.
1 person likes this
