One of the Facebook posts that actually makes sense to me, poised amid the weeds of political lunacy, points out that at one time 18-year-olds were storming the beaches of Normandy (or the jungles of Khe San), not searching for a "safe space" because the results of the election bothered them.
We have done a tragic disservice to our children if they need to hide from reality.
Sure, there are certain groups justifiably frightened by the rhetoric of the election season and the actions of a number of Trump supporters. But there is way too much cowering going on.
And on the other end, too much property damage. Protests are fine, looting and violence are never the right reactions.
The point is there are too many young people in this world who aren't taught to be resillient.
Helicopter mothers. Trophies for participation. Even, I've been told, teachers instructed not to tell their students they are wrong.
What an injustice to young people, not teaching them to handle problems, even the smallest of problems.
Someone once asked me what's the most important thing I taught my kids. I said "to get back up on the horse."
I'm not the best mother in the world, I'm sure. I know I made lots of mistakes. But I taught my kids to handle defeat.
Sure, nobody wants bad things to happen to their kids. But stuff does happen. We have to teach them to pick themselves up and brush themselves off. They have to learn that mommy won't always be standing behind them.
People somehow got the idea that college tuition is an investment allowing them to control what happens. No, you don't have a right to sit in on advising sessions. Your college student is an adult and needs to act like one. I have a feeling they will learn quickly when they have to. We all did.
I don't believe this generation has less ability to learn than we did. I don't believe they are less resilient than we were. They just need the chance to prove themselves.
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