There is nothing parents want to do more than protect their children from all of life's literal and figurative bumps. From their first boo-boo to their first poor grade. (What? My child?) From their first heartache to their first unpleasant boss.
And there is nothing we are less capable of. Despite all our efforts, our anxieties, and our sleepless nights, the Almighty still runs the world and our children still have free will. (Even though some parents do their best to destroy it.)
But is it appropriate to try? Are we helping our children by rescuing or sheltering them from life's difficulties? Are we assisting them along their journey to self-reliance and self-sufficiency or are we perhaps hindering their growth? Infantilizing? Overprotecting and perhaps damaging their sense of self in the process?
Leaving aside the generally accepted physical dangers -- no dark alleys, candy from strangers or cell phones while driving -- what exactly is our responsibility?
Many educators and psychologists -- Wendy Mogel, author of "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee," being among the most prominent -- are encouraging parents to step back. Their over involvement is counterproductive, she claims. The Wall Street Journal abounds with stories of parents filling out college applications, going along on interviews and even post-college calling their children's bosses about raises and promotions. And then they wonder why their children move back home.
Starting with the Talmudic dictum to teach our children to swim, the Torah supports independence and greater degrees of mature and "adult" behavior.
And this training needs to start young. From very small infants, our children pick up their clues from our behavior. If they fall and scrape themselves and we react like it's a major trauma, so will they. If we treat it matter-of-factly, so will they. They will learn that falls and scratches and cuts and bruises are a part of life, to be accepted with minimal complaint. And even more importantly, they will learn that these ‘injuries' are a small price to pay to learn a new skill or participate in a group game.
Part of maturing is learning to cope with adversity.
As our children get older, this concept needs to transfer to school. Certainly it is our responsibility as parents to make sure that our children get a quality education, both in academics and in character. We need to choose a school carefully and possibility step in on rare occasions. But in general we need to pull back and let our (precious) child learn by experience. Even in the ‘best' schools, there are imperfect teachers. While we would certainly prefer that every educator be warm and understanding and loving -- and appreciate exactly who our child is and what he/she needs (as would the parents of the 24 other kids in the class) -- this is not realistic. There will be boring teachers, impatient teachers, cold teachers.
Part of maturing is learning to cope with adversity. Part of growing is making the best of a bad situation. We need to teach our children not to complain and give them tools to deal with a less-than-perfect educational environment.
My friend Shelly had a daughter who always seems to have difficult teachers (Was it the teachers or the daughter? It's certainly easier to blame the school!) Every few months, Shelly was at the school, arguing with the administration. Although her daughter appreciated the support, it eventually became negative. Her daughter gave up homework or paying attention in class after realizing that an aggressive phone call from her mother got the same results with significantly less effort. Although she squeaked through high school this way, she is now floundering in college where she lacks disciplined study skills -- or any real sense of responsibility -- and where the professors are immune to her mother's pleadings.
We try to protect our kids in friendships as well. Although there is occasionally a troubled school bully or a class with some serious problems, most are minor disagreements and are better solved by the children themselves. Throughout our lives we need to work out misunderstandings in relationships -- in marriages, family, friendships and at work. School does more than develop our math and reading abilities. On the playground, our children learn life skills as well. If their parents -- or teachers or school psychologists -- get involved in every fight, how will this child learn to work things through with a difficult colleague or even with a spouse?
It's painful when our children are unhappy. We want to fix it. But we need to stop ourselves. First of all, even though it seems like such a crisis in the moment, they will recover rapidly. (It usually takes the parents a little longer.) Second of all, they learn a lot more by working it out themselves. Sometimes I overhear snatches of phone conversations (what me, eavesdrop?) and I know that one of my daughters is involved in another one of those scenes. But I usually find that if I keep my mouth shut (she didn't ask for my help or opinion anyway), two days later they're "best friends" again. And she's developed great negotiating skills along the way.
Fear traps all of us. We don't want our children to be fearful and neurotic. We want them to appreciate that the Almighty is always looking out for them and that living a meaningful and rich life involves taking risks and interacting with others in our imperfect world. All successful people -- whether in business, in relationships, in their spiritual lives -- have had to take risks, to fall and get up again. And again.
We can't shield our children. It's a painful and humbling recognition. The real question is: Do we really want to?
(15) Anonymous, January 18, 2007 12:57 AM
I have been very fearful since the news was revealed regarding the kidnnapped boys from Missouri. I am typically not a paranoid person but the event in which a 15 year old boy was found after spending four years by a kidnapper really hit me. As a mother of two young boys I would like advice on how to protect our children from the evils of the world. Of course there is no simple answer. I tried to explain to my four year old son about strangers and it scared him to the point that he cried. How can we protect our children without causing them to be paranoid and fearful of the world?
(14) CeliaLeal, November 5, 2006 1:12 PM
Shielding our Children
Dear Emuna,
Thank you for your article:
As a mother of nine, I believe that you have plenty of experience. Indeed, I was interested in your article because I am a mother of a somewhat disabled youngster: For most of his life, until a few months ago I tried to "shield him" from hurts and bad influences. I agree with you that we need to provide our kids with tools and self-confidence in order that they may face later obstacles in life. But, as regards my son, I can see that he is mostly unable to defend himself. When a mild crisis arise, as of those later months, I am a little tired for committing myself, and your article awakened me, once again for my deep task which is to help him through self- knowledge, self-control and trust in mankind.
Thank tou so much. God bless you and your family! Shalom!
(13) Anne, November 2, 2006 2:55 PM
Happy medium required
My mother had a pupil who was babied by his mother to an extent that she made him look ridiculous. She was always at the school, walked him to and from school when no other boy was being walked by mummy, came at lunchtime with his fruit all cut up and so on.
This poor boy was so sheltered that when he went into the big wide world and began work, he had no defence mechanisms . The other workers couldn't believe this big sissy, and gave him something of a hard time. As mummy couldn't be in the factory to hold his hand the poor lad killed himself because of the teasing that he got from his workmates, teasing that was heavy-handed rather than malicious, but because he had been coddled from the cradle up he had no way of coping with this once he was away from mummy.
Had he been allowed some contact with the real world, he would probably have given as good as he got, or at least known how to cope with it.
(12) oneman, November 2, 2006 1:42 PM
measure of the soul
One can only expect to get out what one puts in. Each child is born its own entity and is filled by enviorment and those others with which in contact. Fill the child with love and affection and your child will be loving and affectionate. But do not stop there, their life as is your own...a neverending storybook. So many a blessing.
(11) Nechama, November 1, 2006 11:35 AM
It is extremely important for a parent to let a child know that he feels for him if the child requests support. You can tell a child who has scraped his knee and is crying that you know it hurts but that it is not serious and will go away very quickly. You don't make a big deal of it but you sympathize. The child certainly copes but he knows that his hurt is not unnoticed.
A lot of common sense is necessary in this area. If you pamper too much, the child will have no sense of responsibility. However, if you ignore too much, the child will eventually ignore you and perhaps everything you stand for. I know a woman who doesn't understand why her kids don't listen when she tells them to do something. I remember when they were small. They could say "Mommy" ten times and she wouldn't even turn her head.
Again, you need a lot of common sense.
Good luck to all those who are trying to be good parents.
(10) esthernouel, November 1, 2006 10:26 AM
Just to send you my gratefulness
I am most grateful for your kindness by sending me your articles.
(9) saranna, October 31, 2006 6:29 PM
Constantly
My youngest was constantly bullied ar Infanys and Primary school level.. techers stood aside and watched,,, and if he tried top pay them back or defend himself.. he was always the one to pay... parents and teachers who watch this fun proliferate... as it is a power game here in Australis... and they play a dangerous if not devillish game... children learn no real values... only the laws of the Jungle... there is a point where we do need to intercede... but only APPROPRIATELY....
(8) Anonymous, October 30, 2006 10:16 PM
too simplistic
While Mrs. Braverman makes some excellent points, she really shouldn't make generalizations about parenting and letting kids work things out for themselves. I have a child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - which affects up to 7 percent of children (and no, ADHD is not a synonym for "spoiled kids.) The gold standard of current management of these children is to NOT let them "work things out for themselves." About 50 percent of ADHD kids will have severe social skills impairment - they are not able to naturally pick up social skills as they develop. For these children to thrive, a parent, school psychologist, teacher MUST frequently intervene, to correct problems as they occur. In these cases, intervening as needed is not coddling the child, it is giving him/her the best possible chance to become an adult who can interact socially, and make contributions to the workplace, synagogue, and family.
(7) FaustinaBeninato, October 30, 2006 10:03 AM
Parents Don't Protect Their Children Enough...
Recently I was at a child's Birthday Party, and there was another child, who was about 2 or 3 years old. He climbed the ladder leading to a childrens slide, then fell off midway. I stood standing there with other adults with our mouths hanging open in disbelief; there was the mother smoking a cigarette in one hand, holding a drink in the other, just sitting there smiling at her child who was crying loudly. I looked at the mother & asked, "Aren't you going to go over there & see if your kid is alright?", she turned around annoyed & said: "He's not bleeding, so, I don't think I need to go over there; he's a trooper... I walked over to the little kid, picked him up, & hugged him; the other adults followed me to comfort the little boy, who had a long, red mark on his arm that needed attention. This mother was too relaxed in this instance. Personally speaking, she did not fit the role of a mother; she looked more like 'Tavern" or "Showgirl" material. All she cared about was her cigarette & drink. Parents just need to strike a balance. Parents cannot be with their kids 24/7, but they can teach their children by example & need to always keep the lines of communication open. Even as adults, if we hurt ourselves, isn't it the first instinct for someone at work, home, or on the street to ask, " Are you alright?" This mother didn't even bother to ask her own flesh & blood; a clear reflection of how she was brought up.
(6) Inna, October 29, 2006 11:03 PM
Blessing of a skinned knee
You briefly mentioned the book by Wendy Mogel.."Blessing of a skinned knee". If you are a parent (any age), You MUST read this book. She combines judaism with parenting in a practical way. I just can't say enough about this book.
(5) michelle, October 29, 2006 8:34 PM
great article
The article brought home to me the concept that we, as parents,cannot always rescue our beloved chilren from the real world. We have to trust in Hashem and know that if He brought us to it He will bring us through it
(4) Anonymous, October 29, 2006 1:46 PM
question for Emuna
Dear Emmuna;
Do you think the same way about parents who try to shield their kids from other people tragic events including their close releatives and family? Reasoning that thier son or daughter is too sensetive to take this bad news and they they do not want to burden them with it. I think that they are making a big mistake. I am interested to know your thoughts on this. Thank you.
(3) Anonymous, October 29, 2006 11:52 AM
Supporting versus Shielding
You can't always shield your child but you can support him or her. Parents need to give children room to grow, learn from their mistakes. However, they should also help their kids think things through -- encourage critical thinking. Children sometimes don't think about the consequences. And, sometimes when the consequences are too severe, it is important for the parent to step in and take charge. There are some risks I am unwilling to let my children take. Each parent has to draw the line.
(2) connie, October 29, 2006 7:59 AM
THE PIED PIPER....lest we forget
The story of the Pied Piper was also about a musician who, in later times-enticed the children of the village. Can I say rap, hip-hop? The values of this music will have a dreadful harvest. Think on it.
(1) juliesergel, October 29, 2006 7:51 AM
agree wholeheartedly
I agree wholeheartedly with what you've said, and for the most part, act as you advise. The thing is, what I've encountered is that there seems to be two sets of kids--those, in the literal sense, and those who are grown and technically called parents. All of these groups act and influence each other and inspire finger pointing and frames of reference in comparing actions, and I think this makes us all second guess our ways: Am I being too lax? Did I do too much?
Maybe a good remedy would be a handbook for parents each new school year. The kids get one; why not encourage the parents as well?
Either way, excellent refresher course you give!