The next generation

Most kids today are soft.  There are SO many creature comforts and life is so ‘easy’ for them that they really don't experience much or create many lasting memories.  Much of what we remember in life comes through hard work, grit and often a little pain.  The ‘everyone gets a prize’ entitlement drives me to distraction and is producing kids who either know they will get a reward if they come last or get disappointed when they do put in the effort and get the same acknowledgement as the one who is walking it in.  Neither of which is what I want, nor should it be what any of us want in our next generation.
 
Now, just to preface this, I am FAR from a perfect parent and a long way from where I want to be as a dad.  That being said, I have never tried to baby my kids, instead, letting them make mistakes, fall down (whilst keeping them safe) and expose them to experiences that they will remember because they had to work for it!  I want them to grow up knowing that when they really work hard for something, the result, regardless of it being positive or not will be a valuable learning experience and something they will remember and grow from.  I also want them to know that life is not about ‘getting a prize’.  If you want the glory, you better damn well work your ass off for it, not be kicking a can and expecting a ribbon.
 
This past weekend we went to the Gold Coast.  There was some relaxing, plenty of good food and coffee and a good adventure.  I took the girls on a surprise trip to Purling Brook Falls.  To be honest, it was all a bit of a shamble as Tegs couldn't complete the walk as she was worried about her recovering back, so she returned to the van.  We decided I would continue with the girls and it was muddy, poured rain, a bit cold, we got a heap of leaches on us but we had plenty of laughs.  The walk wasn't easy and at one point, Pria was complaining a bit.  I got a little worked up as we really were having a good time and she was upset about being a bit cold and getting muddy feet.  This produced a conversation about all of the above.  If they weren’t there they would probably be watching TV, or doing some other activity they wont remember.  Instead, we were experiencing something together!  We struggled, we got wet, we laughed, we saw a BEAUTIFUL waterfall, learnt about leaches and we did it TOGETHER!  Mission accomplished.
 
Since returning home, the girls haven’t stopped talking about the experience.  There was no mention of the other mindless things they did really to fill in time, but of adventure, struggle and excitement in achieving the goal of completing the walk in wild conditions.  They also talked about this wild ride we went on at Wet and Wild, which scared the pants off them, so, again, fear produced a memorable experience.
 
So, I am not for one minute trying to tell you how to parent.  However, I know, whenever I have done things with my girls that are truly hard, they have had to learn, have some healthy fear and struggle for, they are the times they remember.  Keep your loved ones safe, but please don't moticottle them, hover parent or stop them from exploring this big old world we share.  Life is about experiences and memories.  I hope that when I look back on my life and my girls do the same, they can remember some great times with their dad going on wild adventures.  Chase it friends, the discomfort is always worth it!  Peace.