Are we loving and protecting our children to a point where they are not well prepared for life as an adult? Are we setting them up for hurtful falls when we can no longer run to their aid when they face one of life’s many challenges? Are we making it near impossible for them to survive or achieve on their own, without a parent pulling strings in the background?

Without a doubt there are certain things in life that are never acceptable – bullying by peers or superiors is right at the top of the list. These are the times we may need to step in. But as our children go about their every day life, can we honestly say that we don’t interfere in too often, in situations that they really need to address themselves?

That little spat in the playground could be the first step toward learning that people have differences of opinion. It could be a valuable life lesson for when they head into the workforce and realise not everyone is “their type of person”. By all means give them advice on how to deal with the situation, and give them a little perspective while your at it. Suggest they look at the problem from both sides.

The same perspective could do you well also when your child comes home complaining their teacher is mean. Granted this can happen, but just because the teacher is firm, requiring your child follows the rules of the class along with 20-plus other children, doesn’t indicate the teacher is mean. There are rules all through life, and people who ensure they are followed. It doesn’t matter how you adult you will always be required to follow the rules of someone – even a CEO is answerable to shareholders. Bosses can be tough – and provided their behaviour is not at a bullying level – they have every right to ensure rules and expectations are followed. That child who learned to cope with the expectations of different teachers will also better adapt to the rules of their bosses.

And perhaps the best lesson we can teach our children so that they can survive in the big wide world is work ethic. That sniffle doesn’t warrant a day off, tardiness is not acceptable and completing tasks is what keeps you in a job and surviving when parents are no longer paying and paving the way. 

The survival lessons you pass onto your children could make all the difference on how they cope through adulthood. Tough love of a parent is important.