A few weeks back, I stumbled upon a thread on a parenting forum that had me scratching my head. One parent, clearly overwhelmed, lamented that her child didn’t seem destined to be a “gifted” prodigy. She was in a tizzy over what kind of future her child could possibly have if they were just “average.” I mean, seriously?
When my daughter was born, I, like many parents, envisioned her as the next astronaut or perhaps even the president. We all have those grand dreams for our little ones, right? But as they grow, you begin to uncover their unique strengths and weaknesses. You start to realize that those high-flying expectations? They might not align with your child’s true aspirations.
But here’s the kicker: when did we decide that only exceptional children are worthy of a fulfilling life? What happened to valuing the “average”? Why not help our kids thrive within their own abilities? Sure, maybe my daughter will be the one to find a cure for cancer or lead a major movement. But then again, maybe she’ll just have a regular life—attending a decent college, working a steady job, and enjoying the simple pleasures of family and friends. And honestly, that’s perfectly fine.
As parents, we all want the best for our children, but somewhere along the line, that desire morphed into a pressure cooker of expectations. It’s like we’ve turned the parenting game into a competition to see whose kid can achieve the most, often disregarding their own interests and desires. Terms like “gifted” or “exceptional” don’t impress me much. The reality is that this relentless pursuit of excellence is likely why we see so many kids burned out and unhappy—because they feel like they can never measure up.
Does this mean we should abandon all expectations? Absolutely not. What it means is we should respect our children’s individuality, their boundaries, and their unique paths. At the end of the day, isn’t our ultimate goal to raise happy, loved, and supported children, even if their lives look “average” by today’s standards?
I would hope so.
And if you’re interested in more insights about family planning, check out this post on home insemination for additional information. You might also want to learn more about male fertility at this fertility booster guide, which is a helpful resource. For further support on pregnancy and family planning, Mount Sinai’s infertility resources are also worth a visit.
In summary, let’s focus on nurturing our children’s happiness rather than striving for unattainable “exceptional” status.