Quit Coddling Your Kids

I read an article today from "The Art of Manliness" - actually most of their articles are a great slap in the face. Anyway this article was called "Quit Coddling Your Kids".

I know that I'm not a parent yet, but I found it to be something good to starting thinking about - especially this excerpt:

Such a problem exists because many young people have never had to earn the things they've enjoyed. They expect the good things in life to naturally flow into their lives

The whole fifth point is excellent:

5. Make them work for what they get

Many young people today are swimming in debt up to their ears. They feel entitled to the things it took their parents 30 years to acquire. Such a problem exists because many young people have never had to earn the things they’ve enjoyed. They expect the good things in life to naturally flow into their lives.

If children are not given responsibilities and work as a young age, it’s harder to instill the ethic when they’re older. You’re doing your child a great disservice if you buy every stinking thing they want. Sure, it’s easier to just buy them the $10.00 toy just to shut their tantrum up. But all you’re doing is conditioning them to the idea that if you whine enough, you’ll get what you want.

By encouraging your children to work for what they get, you’ll be teaching them valuable skills that they will carry with them the rest of their life. Not only will they develop an appreciation for work, they’ll learn valuable money management skills, responsibility, and initiative.

During the early 1900’s kids were working 60 hours a week in factories and coal mines. While it was a deplorable situation, it shows that kids are capable of taking on far greater tasks than parents today are willing to give them. They may no longer have to break slate, but they can at least clean the bathroom and mow the lawn.

I'm no advocate of child labor or child coal mining, but I think it's a good idea for a child to have some sort of responsibility. If someone is just given everything their whole lives and never earns a thing, then they will appreciate nothing.