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Lollipop.

 

{Photo: photobucket.com}

{Photo: photobucket.com}

Was she serious?

“My son said you wouldn’t give him a lollipop?” After charging into my office, she stood over my desk.

 

“I want one!” he whined, looking up at her.

 

 I nodded (“that’s right… you self-important diva…”).

 

“Ummm… why not?”

 

“Well, not everyone got one. I gave that little girl a lollipop because she helped a friend who had been hurt… (by your son).”

She didn’t care — this wasn’t a parenting moment for her, not an opportunity to teach consequence…

“Why would you give out candy if you didn’t have enough for everyone?!”

I wouldn’t budge, stood my ground, didn’t even reprimand this kid in front of his mother — demonstrating what it means to be an adult, not giving in to a four-year-old… because damnit, I actually care.

He threw a strategic tantrum on the floor of my office.

Frustrated and embarrassed, she had to pry him from my desk chairs as he screamed, “Mom! I really want a lollipop!”

I didn’t move to help her.

She’d created this issue.

By storming in like a child herself…

What the hell is wrong with our world?

I understand tantrums, I get upset kids, those are growing pains… but what I can’t get over — what I have absolutely no patience for — are adults who perpetuate the concept of a world that is free from disappointment, where compassion is optional and you deserve everything from the sheer desire of just wanting it.

We’ve got an epidemic, people. A serious lack of empathy.

Children are born egocentric, and we are failing them by permitting them to remain this way into adulthood… by both our intention and inaction.

We must allow children to see our disappointment, pride, and compassion for the things they do.

And then hug them.

No matter what… because our guidance is strong and our love unconditional.

Furthermore, let them be mad, frustrated, and upset… working through this real-life stress is good for them.

They’ll survive — they’re already learning by how you handle these problems everyday.

They are watching you…

So, this kid — who knows… I heard from his teacher the next day that his mom bought lollipops for the whole class — to teach her son that “everything can be fixed.”

Not everything, lady.

Not everything.

 

*****

 

{Teach Compassion}

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