Balancing Protection and Exposure in Parenting

When it comes to raising a child, a lot of parents have different perspectives on how they want that to go. Understandably every parent wants the best for their child, but when it comes to raising them, we've got different methods of doing so. For instance, some parents don't want their child to go through what they've been through, while some feel it's ideal for their child to undergo such so they could learn, because, like we all know, experience, they say, is the best teacher. So which method is ideal between both? And which would I use when it comes to raising my children? Below I'd talk about that extensively.

It's worth noting that both types of parents have the best interests of their wards at heart when they make such resolve, and we can't necessarily say what they want is bad, because preventing a child from dangers we've experienced has its way of making the child's journey smooth and fast, while those who want their child to experience that also have a point because it's easier to learn from experience than when you're being told, which further enhances such child resilience and strength to keep going.

For me personally, when it comes to raising my children, I see both methods as great, and I understand where both types of parents are coming from with their reasons, and that's why I'd prefer to collaborate, or should I say merge, both methods together to bring out the best in my children. I believe utilizing both methods has its ways of making the child understand and benefit from the joy that comes from avoiding certain life's challenges, as well as gain valuable skills and habits from experiencing some of life's tough lessons.

So how am I going to go about this? Since both seem to contradict one another, well, it's all about being intentional and making sure the lesson is learned even if the experiences are staged or orchestrated for that purpose. Take for instance when I began hustling and working as a laborer to a bricklayer from when I concluded JSS 3. Of course, I won't want my child to go through such, but then there can be times I take him there to either see or partake in such labor for some hours so he'll understand what it feels like to make money, and he'll learn to appreciate what he's given and not think life is as easy as asking and getting what you asked from your parents.

The purpose isn't to make him suffer like I did, but to experience the other side of life and what it takes to survive, or understand my journey and how I got to where I am, so the child won't think life is all bed of roses. It doesn't mean I'll make him work in such a place all day; it's just about the experience or making him perform some task around the house and getting paid for doing such, basically teaching them different life lessons and principles that can go on to help their journey in the near future.

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