Jonas Harrysson has been a teacher for nearly 16 years. During this time, he says he’s noticed a shift in the way young parents are raising their children and shared his thoughts on Facebook. He believes that today’s parents are spoiling their children too much. He highlights three major ways in which this is happening and how he would like to see parents change the ways they raise their kids. Since posting, the Swedish teacher’s words have been translated into English and shared all over the world.
Here’s what he wrote:
“I have worked with kids for almost 16 years and there are a few things that I’ve noticed children are becoming worse and worse at.
“No.1. Children find it very difficult to be bored! There constantly needs to be something going on. Please stop spoiling your children. It’s not dangerous for them to be bored sometimes.
“No 2. I’ve met many parents who are so proud that their kids can read and count before starting preschool. Well, I hate to break it to you, but reading and counting, they’ll learn soon enough. Teach them instead to play, to be a good friend, and to share.”
“My third point is that many children find it difficult to show gratitude to both kids and adults. Can they get an ‘extra’ one, is unfortunately often a first question.
“‘We only get one!?’ is a common complaint I hear.
“What happened to ‘please.’ And ‘thanks for dinner,’ and ‘thanks for the ride,’ and so on?
“I have no children yet, but if I do sometime in the future I will teach them to play, to be a good friend, to show gratitude and to be bored from time to time. When they learn those things, then will I teach them to read and count.”
Do you agree with Jonas and his advice? Or do you think it’s more complicated than that?
Share this teacher’s advice with your family and friends if you agree with what he has to say.
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