The past two weeks have presented several opportunities for me to have some form of this discussion with one of my children:
Child: “It’s not fair!”
Me: “I agree. But life’s not fair.”
Child: “I hate it when you say that.”
Me: “I don’t like saying it. I hate it when you have to learn it and experience it, but it is true.”
These are not the fun parenting moments. But they’re the necessary parenting moments. And they’re the moments that matter much more than when we teach our kids to tie their shoes or make their beds or eat their vegetables.
As my child and I moved through the “life’s not fair” lesson the past two weeks, we learned some things together:
- Even when life isn’t fair — and sometimes especially when life isn’t fair – we should count our blessings.
- Observing or experiencing what we perceive to be an injustice is a great reminder about how we should behave publicly and privately.
- It is not our job to try to fix things that aren’t fair or to educate others about things that aren’t fair.
- Being respectful and kind to others is a choice, and it is always a good choice, even if you don’t believe those people have been respectful and kind to you.
- Doing the right thing pays big dividends.
I’m proud of my kids when they behave honorably, and I’ve had the opportunity to be very proud this week, indeed.
I’d be interested to hear stories about how you’ve taught your kids the “life’s not fair” lesson.
