I adore my kids and truly believe they are the most extraordinary beings on the planet, but I simply cannot get on board with the notion that they deserve a trophy for just showing up to soccer practice. It seems ridiculous to award medals for merely achieving age-appropriate milestones—like, here’s a ribbon for turning five, or congratulations for participating in the orchestra you were required to play in. And how about the certificate my child received once for being nice to a friend? Since when did a fleeting act of kindness warrant such fanfare? We’re setting the bar unreasonably low, and now my son raises an eyebrow when I ask him to tidy up his room—after all, he’s a trophy recipient for being nice one time!
Why are we fostering these inflated expectations? Real life doesn’t shower us with accolades. I’d much prefer cash over a shiny plaque. A little extra in my pocket would be far more appreciated than a trophy gathering dust on the shelf. I don’t receive awards for every time I tackle household chores or manage the grocery store with two kids in tow, though I think I deserve something for that! Instead, I just receive the tears of regret and no recognition whatsoever.
And let’s be honest; I might be in the minority, but I don’t believe every tiny milestone merits a graduation ceremony. I don’t recall having formal graduations for preschool, kindergarten, or even fifth grade. Do we really need another excuse to gather for cookies and chatter about our kids? I’d much rather skip the lengthy ceremony where I’m internally pleading with my daughter to stop picking her nose in front of an audience of a hundred people. Seriously, does she not realize everyone can see her?
The expectations have grown so outlandish that my kids now anticipate stickers at every store, awards for participation, and constant praise for even the simplest of interactions. Why? Because we’ve established this precedent. The stickers often end up being used in the most ridiculous ways, and the trophies? They accumulate in the toy bin, collecting dust and becoming more of a nuisance than anything else. After a while, these awards lose their significance. They become a fleeting source of excitement, quickly forgotten and cluttering my home.
Of course, I acknowledge that our children have unique talents, and there are instances when hard work deserves recognition. However, it feels like the system has become overloaded. In an effort to validate every child, the true value of an award is diminished.
Let’s focus on teaching our kids to be genuinely kind, rather than expecting recognition for simply doing what’s expected. This creates a false sense of entitlement, placing an extrinsic value on actions that should be intrinsically motivated. We should encourage them to do things for the joy of it or because it’s simply part of being a decent human being.
Save the awards for significant achievements—like, perhaps, the Nobel Prize, which at least comes with a million bucks!
If you’re interested in more topics related to parenting and home insemination, check out our other posts, such as this one about at-home intracervical insemination syringe kits. They’re an excellent resource on fertility and pregnancy, much like this guide that offers valuable insights for expectant parents.
In summary, while it’s wonderful to celebrate the unique talents and hard work of our children, we need to reevaluate the frequency and significance of awards given for simple participation. Let’s foster intrinsic motivation and kindness instead of setting unrealistic expectations.
Keyphrase: parenting awards and expectations
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