Highlights

Answer 1

We live in a world obsessed with the highlight. Flip over to ESPN and you’re bombarded with every breathtaking dunk, pass or game winning shot. We seldom see the pass that flew out of bounds, the botched dunk or the turnover to end the game.

The same emphasis on showcasing only the positive can be seen in parenting. We talk about the time our son kicked the game winning goal or the time our daughter took first place in the school’s science fair. We focus on the positive and push those moments our children came up short under the rug.

But that’s a mistake.

It’s important for children to understand that sometimes life doesn’t go their way. They won’t be on the winning team each season. Not every piano recital will result in a perfect performance. Children need to learn how to deal with disappointment. And they will look to their parents for how they should act during those times.

Celebrate the good and remember the challenges your child overcame to get there. Skills that come easy aren’t as meaningful as those that were refined and improved upon over time. They might drop a pass or play the wrong key on occasion. But they will bounce right back if they see you do the same.

So celebrate the highlights. Be the first to your feet when your daughter crosses the line finish line. Cheer the loudest when your son doubles in the winning run.

But remind your children that with highlights come lowlights. That’s what makes the highlights so memorable.

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