Quote:Do I need an appointment?

 

Never

 

Quote:So you advocate not working hard then, because maybe, just maybe you won't get what you were working toward?

 

Sammy answered for me:

 

Quote:If there is a plateau of grandeur that is held up as the brass ring of working hard, it will as well reward those without a chance of obtaining the trophy with a "failure" trophy. Here, you weren't good enough, Billy ... Go home and look prettier next year ... Have your Dad explain it to you, he knows everything about working harder to be prettier.

 

People are born with limitations, and if you offer any teenage girl a pretty pill, don't be surprised if she takes it. No one wants to finish last when so much praise comes to those that finish first.

 

I know the concept is well intended, but don't let well intended cloud the actual results.

 

Kids are very dramatically sensitive, and what an adult may believe is supportive of hard work, can as well become proof of failure.

 

I think kids need realistic expectations to go with their hard work.  That's why I'm a fan of the "hardest worker" trophies, even though they don't reward the ultimate achievement.  These are few and far between at the professional level.  I have also found out the hard way that hard work and brains will only get you so far.  Then there's things like genetics and dynasty - a cynical lesson for grownups.

 

Let children be children, dammit.  Adulthood comes fast enough, and some lessons can wait.

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