Fortune News | Feb 11,2023
May 6 , 2023
By Carolyn Kissane
I recently watched a video of a mother and her young daughter travelling by air. The lady nicely asked a man seated next to them by the window to switch seats with her daughter right before landing. She explained that watching the plane land calms her.
Some people would gladly switch their seats with the girl because it does not seem like giving up a lot while others might have done it for it is attributed to benevolence.
However, the man declined the request saying although he was capable, he wanted the girl to learn a valuable lesson- she cannot always get her way.
I thought it was an unpleasant reply at first but it was a worthwhile lesson.
We are taught to sacrifice our needs for others. There are times when a person is morally required to give up seats on public transport for the disabled, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick. This has led some to expect the same courtesy from everyone and take it personally when they do not comply.
It is impossible to constantly influence the outcome of situations in the world we live in. Similarly, it is selfish and absurd to expect people to adjust their routines to fit the needs of others.
It was a valuable lesson for the mother as well. There are parents on the other extreme that go above and beyond to provide their children with what they want.
There is an inspiring thread on Quora where people reflected on killing someone with kindness.
A woman talks about how she was a helicopter mom to her son. She considered him a miracle child after several miscarriages. He was homeschooled, pampered with money and had his own car. She found friends for him and played matchmaker for dates, basically executing everything. But at the age of 20, he ended up taking his own life.
She believes over-parenting might have led to his suicide.
Sometimes parents even with the best intention at heart contribute to the suffering of their children. Living in a bubble cultivates entitlement to special treatment. It makes the child extra sensitive to their surrounding and tends to experience major setbacks at the smallest obstacle they face.
Children should be exposed to both the good and the bad, lest they grow up weak and easily entrapped in life's mishaps. Putting a stop to their unreasonable demands and being firm on the decision is necessary.
Parents should let their children practice independence especially when playing and interacting with others. There will be times when they have to interfere but not always. Teaching them personal responsibility such as cleaning up after themselves could guide them to be independent.
Parents should not expect royal treatment for their kids from society since they are only special to them. It also makes it easier for kids to get along with others when they are treated impartially.
I find it a good rule to follow that children are no longer special the minute they leave home.
PUBLISHED ON
May 06,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1201]
Fortune News | Feb 11,2023
Sunday with Eden | Oct 10,2020
Commentaries | Jan 05,2019
Agenda | Jun 08,2024
Viewpoints | May 25,2024
Featured | Jan 11,2020
Agenda | May 20,2023
Fortune News | Nov 16,2024
Radar | Jun 11,2024
Editorial | Dec 02,2023
My Opinion | 120720 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 116813 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 115550 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 113286 Views | Aug 07,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
A severe cash shortage squeezes the economy, and the deposit-to-loan ratio has slumpe...
Jan 4 , 2025
Time seldom passes without prompting reflection, and the dawn of 2025 should nudge Et...
Dec 28 , 2024
On a flight between Juba and Addis Abeba, Stefan Dercon, a professor of economic poli...
Dec 21 , 2024
The main avenues and thoroughfares of Addis Abeba have undergone an impressive faceli...
Jan 12 , 2025
Wegagen Bank, lined up to become the first company to list on the newly launched Ethi...
Jan 12 , 2025 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia's key industries are battling the contraband trade. Leaders from tobacco, co...
Jan 12 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
An alleged shareholder of Sunpay Solutions S.C., Bruck Fikre, has filed a lawsuit see...
Jan 12 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Plastic manufacturers are pushing back against a bill banning single-use plastic...
Loading your updates...