It’s that time of year. Graduation time! Awards season! Parents around the world on Facebook are posting photos of the awards their children are winning (sometimes multiple)… Top student, top athlete, top service award, top drama, best cubby organizer, best circle time sitter… and the list goes on.
June has become the academy awards season of elementary school minus the designer gowns. But really with all the same pomp and circumstance. We give out awards for everything and we have become obsessed with giving kids accolades for being the “best”.
But what about the kids who are not at the top of the class, do not get the straight A’s, or are not the sports superstar. Where are those parents’ proud Facebook posts and celebrations. June is a hard time of year for kids who things don’t come easily to them: for the shy introverted child , for the one who does not make the basket, and for the one who struggles in school. For most of these kids their personal successes go quietly unnoticed and in this messed up system unjusticely undeserving of any proper recognition.
And it’s hard for the parents too. Where are their Facebook posts, celebrations and their bragging rights. Do they shout from the Facebook roof tops: My son got a B after studying twice as hard as everyone else, my daughter made it through the day without crying, my son tried out for the team after spending his entire weekend practicing and did not make, my daughter raised her hand in class today…
Today I dedicate this post to all these children and parents who fly under the radar and struggle on daily basis. To the parents who praise, push, teach, nurture, applaud, cheer on, coach, tutor, instruct, encourage, support and award their kids on a daily basis I take my hat off to you and send you virtual fireworks.
To the kids who don’t collect the trophies or sparkly certificates at the end of the year please know your accomplishments never go unnoticed. Your strength, determination, hard work, perseverance and dedication make you a winner everyday. And always remember it is not about being the “best” but doing your best. While trophies eventually collect dust in the back of a closet and the sparkles fade from the awards you shine bright everyday.
June has become the academy awards season of elementary school minus the designer gowns. But really with all the same pomp and circumstance. We give out awards for everything and we have become obsessed with giving kids accolades for being the “best”.
But what about the kids who are not at the top of the class, do not get the straight A’s, or are not the sports superstar. Where are those parents’ proud Facebook posts and celebrations. June is a hard time of year for kids who things don’t come easily to them: for the shy introverted child , for the one who does not make the basket, and for the one who struggles in school. For most of these kids their personal successes go quietly unnoticed and in this messed up system unjusticely undeserving of any proper recognition.
And it’s hard for the parents too. Where are their Facebook posts, celebrations and their bragging rights. Do they shout from the Facebook roof tops: My son got a B after studying twice as hard as everyone else, my daughter made it through the day without crying, my son tried out for the team after spending his entire weekend practicing and did not make, my daughter raised her hand in class today…
Today I dedicate this post to all these children and parents who fly under the radar and struggle on daily basis. To the parents who praise, push, teach, nurture, applaud, cheer on, coach, tutor, instruct, encourage, support and award their kids on a daily basis I take my hat off to you and send you virtual fireworks.
To the kids who don’t collect the trophies or sparkly certificates at the end of the year please know your accomplishments never go unnoticed. Your strength, determination, hard work, perseverance and dedication make you a winner everyday. And always remember it is not about being the “best” but doing your best. While trophies eventually collect dust in the back of a closet and the sparkles fade from the awards you shine bright everyday.
Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler!
Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World
Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World
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