On my way to a picnic recently I was reminded again as to how we miss opportunities to reinforce the character of our chidren.
Here's the scene
A family on their way to a picnic spot. Everyone's hands are full. There is only 1 boy and he is in charge of the cooler(with back wheels)
As they all trudge along the boy struggles....the cooler is awkward and bumps into his heels. He complains some and soon gets noticed. The grandmother figure suggests he switch with her and swap his load for her blanket...the same age cousin asks if she can swap loads as well.
So easy to just do this and keep the small army moving ahead
But it is not what should happen.
The boy needs to follow thru with his load/job. It is important. It is character building.
We see too many crippled individuals who have whined loud enough,complained long enough and dragged their feet until someone comes along to do it better...quicker... more efficiently.
STOP
A word for the wise...
Everyone keep moving forward. He will figure it out. He will succeed. He will be able to make the return trip. He will learn and become stronger and more confident . He is on his way to becoming a man. The world does not need another passive individual that shirks or complains his way out of a job waiting for someone to come to the rescue.
Dont enable. Pat the lad on the back and say "I knew that you could do it! Good job" (This is not gender specific)
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