Why we don't let Kids be kids?
By Ptrikha_2
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
India
November 11, 2017 2:13pm CST
If I go back and see what all was there when I was say 8 year or 10 year or even 12 years old, I would say that apart from being a little unorganized, we did enjoy our childhood times. We played, we saw TV, we did silly things, but we also studied, and I recall getting 70% and 80% marks.
Hark back to the present times.
What do we see?
Kids getting smarter.
Kids required to learn big things- be it in English, Or EVS, or Maths, or in Arts and Crafts, and their parents even more desperate to see kids get good at all of these things, or else getting left behind.
Where have all those joys of the childhood silliness gone? Those childish plays, those innocent pranks, where are all of these.
Instead, what we see are kids confident of speaking to big audience, yet many of these kids behave with arrogancy in front of other, simpler kids, and many a times make them feel downcast.
I also see many parents setting bad examples and being over-protective, or defending their kids even if their kids are guilty.
Many even think that if their kids are selfish, clever and always under-cutting others, its good for the kids and let them remain that way.
In a way, it damages the social fabric, but is anyone concerned?
Doesn't looks like that, except very few people.
18 people like this
17 responses
@peachpurple (13961)
• Malaysia
11 Nov 17
I agree that we parents need to let kids go to be kids, not caged like a mouse
5 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
12 Nov 17
@peachpurple Yes we need to make them feel free!
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (28380)
• Singapore
12 Nov 17
When I was a kid fifty/sixty years ago, the exposure to outside world was minimal.
We went to school and played outdoor games everyday and if it rained indoor like carrom, chess etc.
We knew we had to study hard but most parents were allowing us to enjoy our carefree childhood.
The options were rather limited. Those academically inclined went for medicine, engineering.
Though others felt a bit dejected, most led comfortable lives and with many children!
Now even one child is too many and with mothers keeping a hawk's eye, childhood is being eroded sadly.
On my part I made sure my son had an all round childhood life with little pressure from me except to make him aware the consequence of his choices - siva
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
13 Nov 17
@Shiva49 I now feel that children are under immense pressure. Even 7-8 years old kids have too much in school curriculum, as well as extra- plays, skits, drawing competitions etc, and more pressure to do well. So, as parents we should be supportive and not exert more pressure on them.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
13 Nov 17
@Shiva49 in a way we were luckier. If it was current times, I might have been attending Dance/Skating/Karate/Arts classes instead of watching Cricket matches or Wimbledon or playing outdoors.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
17 Nov 17
@Shiva49 but now a days many parents are forgetting that.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
27 Nov 17
I won't defend my children when they are wrong-I am the first one to blame my kids when something goes wrong with other kids. I have seen many parents who will defend their kid at all costs-even if they are wrong though.
I am protective of my children safety wise though. This is a crazy world now a days.
My children have fun and enjoy life. I Home School them and we take their education serious but not too serious. They have fun while learning.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Dec 17
@LovingMyBabies having fun while learning is the best approach. And I hope kids enjoy a lot while doing things like this.
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
27 Nov 17
@Daelii Thank you. Children love learning-when they are enjoying it! =)
2 people like this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
11 Nov 17
It is horrible!
It's sad that it has got this way for many people. I don't like it when people act as you described.
The only thing I disagree with is the comments concerning advanced studies. There should be no harm in kids enjoying studies in anything if they actively want to learn more. There is no shame in being smart and furthering ones education.
I'm making an effort to raise 3 compassionate daughters. I want them to be kids and enjoy the fun and frills. I also think it's important to teach them to find things they enjoy and to be happy doing!
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
12 Nov 17
@Daelii If a kid is comfortable doing extra things, its ok. However, I do not like kids being forced into doing something.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
13 Nov 17
@Daelii Yet for me, achieving those dreams by unnecessarily pressurizing kids is a big no-no for me.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Nov 17
Bad examples and unrealistic expectations are big deals now days I think. If parents are involved kids do a lot better.
2 people like this
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
8 Dec 17
Times have changed and so have people. We have grown and evolved. Yes, kids are way smarter today than we were growing up. With all the technology we have that only stands to reason. I still see kids being kids in the world. Kids will always be kids. And lets be frank about all this, there will be smarter kids and less smarter kids. That is the way it is. Not everyone can become smart. Or is smart. Look at America. At least a quarter of the country is not very smart at all. I think we all know why. But that aside, we may have grown up in a more simple time. But if I recall, we had a whole lot more than our parents did. At least for me. Ans the kids today have even more than we did. We all want our children to do better than we did.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Dec 17
@inertia4 I appreciate your inputs on this.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
17 Nov 17
@sjvg1976 yes competition has increased but should not we be concerned that increased stress does not leads to burnout among kids?
3 people like this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
27 Nov 17
That is bad how people raise their children. Let kid's enjoy their childhood. There are thing they cannot do anymore when they grow old. They should be allowed to enjoy their childhood not to have lots of pressure from old people
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (40029)
• Toccoa, Georgia
27 Nov 17
Those parents want their kids to grow up too fast. I say , your childhood will be gone before you know it, time goes by way too fast, slow down and let kids be kids.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Dec 17
I agree @LeaPea2417
Thanks for responding @thislittlepennyearns
Yes @TheHorse kids learn through play, even though some formality does helps. Yet I always believe in the classic saying "Excess of anything is bad."
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (68246)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
27 Nov 17
I think it really varies kid the kid you can't say one thing is good for all kids. Kids are raised differently kids have different parents different lives so what's good for one kid is not going to be good for all kids
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
13 Nov 17
@YrNemo but kids of present times do not have that much carefree and fun times.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59761)
• Philippines
26 Nov 17
Kids need to be kids and both kids and parents need to be reminded of that fact.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
26 Nov 17
If parents are childish and undisciplined, why would they expect something different from their kids? The next generation of children will someday be our world leaders. What will society benefit, from this kind of upbringing?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Dec 17
@kobesbuddy yes if upbringing is bad, world will not benefit.
Thanks for inputs @averygirl72
thanks @allen0187
2 people like this
