A parent's need to shelter can lead to shock treatment for a child.

Happy Parenting

As parents we all want the best for our children.  We all want to provide a wonderful, loving home.  Every parent hopes their child has exceptional physical, mental, and social skills and will be in an environment that acknowledges those great attributes. We want our children to be exposed to the best educational opportunities possible.  Parents want their child surrounded by teachers, coaches, peers, and mentors that will only speak positive and encouraging words into their lives. We want the best life possible and definitely a better life than we had when we were children. In short, parents want to shelter their kids from the bad things in the world and only expose them to the good.  But is this the best for your child in the long run? And the answer is, no.



It's absolutely staggering to me how many kids today have never worked a job before they make 18.  Or how many kids have never had to fend for themselves until the day they leave for college.   Come on people, it's only common sense.  If Little Johnny has never had to punch a time clock or answer to some grumpy boss before 18 the learning curve is going to be extremely steep.  And no, having Little Susie watch here younger cousins for money does not count.  Getting a part time job at 16 or 17 is a lesson in how much the real world really sucks.  Vital lessons in what it's like to be at the bottom of the food chain are taught at these minimum wage, menial jobs.  Even if your child is going to college to be a rocket scientist, the lessons of a part time, minimum wage job are invaluable to a child in the long term plan of making a complete adult.  And those parents that shield their kids from these lessons will be compensating for it for years and years to come.  And if you send your kid off to college without having the know how to wash clothes, clean dishes, cook food, or bathe himself.......you just might have a thirtysomething living on your couch for during your golden years.


My oldest is a Senior in High School and we've been doing the College tour thing.  We have gone to quite a few Universities and sat through a many a presentation.  Some of the best and most eye opening looks into the colleges are the ones that have college Seniors available to answer questions.  Just the other day we were at LSU and they had a 5 Seniors answering questions.  3 of them admitted to Freshman shock.  One said it was because he had never worked a job before and it translated into not knowing how to adjust to being the low man in the pecking order.  The other two said that living without the help of parents and so far from home was the shock that took and entire year to get over.  They adjusted and are going to graduate as fine students of their school, but I'm glad to hear their honesty of how shocking the real world is when they left the nest of their sheltered home.  The sooner you start adjusting your child to the real world the easier his transition will be into it.

College life without Mommy!