Parenting: Are we Encouraging Mediocrity

I remember when I was in primary school, I was always either first or second in my class this was earlier on oh, before I discovered how much I hated mathematics. I recall how I came back every time with my first/ second result and after doing this for awhile my parents treated it like it was nothing special it became an expectation. After a while I too stared treating it like it was my right to be the best or second best in class. Then one term my younger brother who could not be bothered came second in his class, my parents were all over him like "oh he came first" and so on. Imagine my annoyance so I met my mother in the kitchen that day and said "mummy but I came second too" and she said "but of course you did dear, what other position did you want to get do you want me to throw a party?" (I will like you to know that my mother is very sarcastic in a loving way of course but sarcastic nonetheless and I love it.) lol.

We were expected to be the best  nobody gave prizes back then for participation my parents did not tolerate mediocrity. Then fast forward to now, we have our own kids and schools are telling us now that they will not push our kids so that our kids will learn at their own pace. I love a "don't care" child any day, but I am also a very competitive person, why is it that when we are looking for stuff to copy from other cultures we take the worst things instead of the best not everything you see other people do will work for you. We copy the American/British curriculum tell a Nigerian mother that her child will not write waec but the SAT, what if my child never leaves the borders of Nigeria, will we start teaching our children British history instead of Nigerian history? I know for a fact that Nigerian bred kids used to be the best because competition was actually encouraged here. A decent amount of competition is not a bad thing, no prizes for participation but prizes for winning, why will I bother being the best at what I do if I can just get a commendation for participation.  What we should be fighting for is a higher standard for our children, and a system that exposes them to the realities of life and actual usable skills not a system that encourages slacking. Are we progressing or regressing? 

So the next time a teacher tells you not to worry and let your child come into their own on their own I will suggest that maybe you begin to worry a little because, as much as I want a peace and love baby I also want a well adjusted and motivated child who will be able to manage and conquer not someone who expects to be babied and patted on the back for every simple thing they manage to do.

Of course we will reward our kids for taking on the hard stuff, but sometimes being able to do something you thought was difficult is reward in itself and truly only the best are celebrated. But what you really want is a child that can motivate his or her self into doing stuff that will be great even if there is no one around to say good job for your participation, I think that's the angle our parents were trying  to accomplish. Let's say no to mediocrity in our children's education.

XO