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Are Our Expectations Of Today's Children Ridiculous?

As friends, family, and especially parents of children, we all have hopes that the children we know and love will live better lives than we did. At least that's the way life is supposed to work. As someone who has worked with children for over almost 30 years, I'm starting to believe that while our hopes are justified, our expectations, even in their day-to-day lives, are ridiculous.

Kids are sitting in their classroom before most adults are at work.
Kids don't have the luxury of hitting the snooze button.
Kids don't have the luxury of easing into their day with a trip to Starbucks.
Kids don't have Me Time during their commute.
Kids can't make the decision if they are well enough to go in.
Kids can't take a personal day to clear their minds.
Kids have 40-minute meetings all day long.
Kids can't choose who to have lunch with.
Most kids can't even choose their own lunch.
Kids can't pop out for a smoke or breath of fresh air.
Kids can't hide in the bathroom for privacy.
Kids can't miss more than a day or two of school, no matter how sick.
Kids can't put off work until they feel like finishing it.
Kids can't count on coworkers to pick up the slack.
Kids can't blame family emergencies on every time they are late or absent.
Kids don't lie about why they didn't do work or missed school.
Kids have more bosses than you.
Kids are constantly being told to learn from other people's mistakes.
Kids days are scheduled for them, with very little leeway.
Kids don't have HR if they are having a tough time coping.
Kids don't get paid leave for their woes.
Kids problems are stigmatized and affect their placement, reputations, and success.
Kids don't get rewarded regardless of their output.
Kids can't stare at their phone or computer, speaking to their friends all throughout the day.
Kids are ignored much more often than you.
Kids have lots of activities after school and on the weekends.
Kids are expected to smile.
Kids are expected to discuss their day, even if they just want to put it behind them.
Kids are expected to show respect, despite not always receiving it.

Kids are ALWAYS told they can do better.


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