Most people say it’s more important to send kids the message “You can do anything” than the less ambitious “Know your limits.”
That’s according to the latest unscientific poll at SharylAttkisson.com.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) said it’s more important to teach children they can do anything. About one-third said it’s more important they learn their limits.
It’s more important to teach kids:
68% You can do anything
32% Know your limits
Not sure you know what your limits are without taking calculated risks and pursuing a lofty goal. However, a thoghtful approach is needed to avoid falling shot of a reachable goal due to poor planning or ignorance. How that for fence ridding?:-)
I’m sure the transgender activists agree with the majority vote.
I taught my own (now adult) 4 children that they can do anything and now wish that I had taught them to know their limits. They were all good students and it was a given that they would go to college. One dropped out freshman year, One is actually using her communication degree and making 6 figures. One has a communication degree and is in the restaurant business now, sometimes having to work in the restaurant because of being short staffed. One has a useless history degree and worked in retail until recently. College is not for everyone just because you’re smart. I wished that I had directed them to community college or trade schools.
I am more of the “You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.”
That would include critical thinking of how a child would accomplish something.
Part of life is learning not only how to succeed, but also learning from failures.
And life is not always fair.
I am sure a number of people’s heads exploded reading that.
I would offer a third option. Rather than teaching kids to “know their limitations” I think it’s more useful to help them understand their “strengths” and “weaknesses.” (What comes more naturally v. What takes much more work.) Understanding that, makes option #1, in the poll, more doable. That’s different than “limitations,” and it’s different than blind wishing. We can’t truly know what another person – even our own chid — is truly capable of. Self-awareness and helping children understand what comes naturally v. Those things that are more challenging is important perspective needed to realize true potential.
The entire world is teaching kids, “You can do anything.” And it’s not really true, is it? There are absolutes that will get in the way. We can teach our kids to aim high and work hard and be disciplined without teaching them misleading inspirational quotes. I think kids need to hear the “Know your limits” message more than they currently do. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s less ambitious, but maybe more realistic. And by encouraging them to excel and work hard within their limits. And within the confines of absolute truth, we can prepare our kids for greater success in their future.