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.