Children nowadays tend to experience psychological problems more easily than children did in the past few decades. This raises a significant question about the way we educate our children. Many reasons and factors contribute to this complex issue. However, this article serves as a humble reference for us to review what we provide for our children and the potential consequences.

In the past, children did not have many favorable conditions. They had to study, do household chores, look after their younger siblings, and even work on farms. Their academic results might not have been outstanding, but they appeared to be physically and mentally strong and resilient.

In contemporary times, the younger generation enjoys a higher standard of living. Most of them are not familiar with household chores. They mainly focus on their academics and strive to be at the top of their class, school, city, state, and even the world. Surprisingly, many of them experience mental health issues with even minor disruptions or parental rebukes.

Before drawing conclusions, consider this story of a farmer:

Once upon a time, a farmer had a small, dry field. At the end of the harvest, he had only a few crops. He complained to God, saying, “God knows nothing about agriculture; if I could control the weather, everything would be much better.” Suddenly, God appeared and said to him, “I will grant you the power to control the weather for your field for a year. Then, we will see how your crops fare.”

The farmer was delighted to have control over the sun and rain. He saw his plants grow rapidly, and their leaves were the largest and greenest ever. However, when harvest time came, he brought a large basket to collect the seeds, only to find that there were none. The plants, despite their healthy appearance, had produced no seeds. Confused and distressed, the farmer cried out. God appeared and asked about the crops. God explained, “They have no seeds because you did not call for winds, storms, hailstones, or snow. These elements are essential for helping the plants strengthen their roots. Without strong roots, plants cannot bear seeds.”

This story highlights the importance of what we provide our children and the eventual outcomes. Denis Waitley once said, “The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of RESPONSIBILITY and the wings of INDEPENDENCE.” I would like to add one more thing: the heart of LOVE and FORGIVENESS.

With love,

Little pencil’s reflection on Tủ Sách Tư Duy

Photo: mlquotes.com