Let Them Fail
Challenges of Parenting Today BY PATTY JENSEN, Ph.D. There are many challenges that
today is not altogether different from
to them, why not protect them from
parents face today that have not existed
what parents have been confronted
those feelings of disappointment,
in previous generations— protecting
with throughout history: resisting the
discouragement, or shame?
children from the dangers of social
urge to protect children from failure
media; knowing that your kids can
and confusing their failure as your
use Google to determine whether you
own.
succumb to this impulse as a
In many ways it seems strange,
back to school after dropping off her
almost mean, to embrace failure
kids because she realizes one of them
for our children. If we have the
forgot their water bottle in the van.
However, I maintain that the single
knowledge, skill, or understanding to
Dad intervenes in his child’s science
most difficult challenge for parents
keep something bad from happening
project to help him stand out among
are actually the smartest person in the world (or even smart at all); and/or providing a sense of hope in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile.
4
I have witnessed countless parents professional educator. Mom drives
Pinnacle Vistas • Spring 2022
