Please, Leave These Children Alone!

Children nowadays are under so much pressure compared to what it was back in the day. Parents want their 2 year olds to be able to write 1-100 and I am like for what purpose exactly? You hear some parents brag about the ridiculous speed they subject their children to.

I remember someone saying to me I should have stopped wearing diapers for my 15 month old baby and I am like, "He's still a baby fa".

Why the rush?

Mum A compares her child with the child of mum B. If her own child is not moving as fast as the other child, she begins to push the child unduly. We forget that each child is unique and the timing of their development too are different one from the other.

Do you want your child to crash and burn? Why not allow your child go at the pace that is right for him/her?

The fact is that not only children are victims of this absurdity. Parents too are. Especially parents of the children who are judged to be moving slowly according to the standard of fellow parents.

We indirectly instil in these children competitive spirits. Instead of encouraging them to embrace who they are and appreciate God for making them like He has.

Note that I am not making excuses for laxity.

And some children are faster when it comes to certain things. They are specially designed to move faster in certain areas of their lives.

My point is that there is time for everything. . .

Two children born by the same mother wouldn't necessarily walk or talk at the same age. Each one will take on the challenge he/she is fit to when the time is right. For instance, my first child brought forth her first set of teeth when she was 3+ months while the other at 6 month. Unique trends were noticed with other developmental stages without one necessarily always faster than the other.

Putting on the attitude of celebrating uniqueness has helped me shove unreasonably speeds that others have tried to enforce on my children.

Give your child a push when necessary and let him/her evolve into what God has designed him or her to be naturally.

Stop dressing your child up like an adult. Let your child be a child. Let him/her enjoy this phase of his/her life.

Allow your children move at their own pace. Let them learn to always stick to their lanes in the races of life from childhood.

May God help parents understand and align with God's plan for our children!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016