I agree, in high school I competed in a Home School Forensics and Communication League. We had competitions for all ages from 5-18. the 5-8 year olds ALL got to go up front and receive a little award, which I have no problem with because at 5 if you are already speaking in front of people that IS a huge accomplishment. Anyway, everyone else got a certificate of participation, but they were in our ballot packets at the end. Something to show an assesor to prove you participated, but you didn't get to go up on stage for an award unless you came in First, Second or Third.
Quoting 4kidz916:I agree with you ladies. I don't feel like the field days (for example) should give the awards to all the kids. I think the winners should be awarded for their hard work. Now I don't have an issue with everyone who participated and tried getting a certificate of recognition but the winners do need the special recognition. Same way with grades. The exceptional students should get the awards. Every child has to find what they are good at and shoot to succeed in that area.
Blessed Mommy to: Angel Baby : 07/08/08 Alexander Jayce:05/21/09 Kalea Brielle: 06/03/10 Michael Zachary 09/22/11 Angel Baby: 07/02/12
My kids won't get an award for something that they didn't earn. The "entitlement" mentality is somehting that starts so young and we are definitely beginning to see the affects on our society as a whole.
You learn so so so much more through failure. You are motivated to do better if you don't always get first.
I completely agree! Growing up, we got a ribbon or a small trophy for participation but the winners got a nice trohphy, per se.
Quoting 4kidz916:I agree with you ladies. I don't feel like the field days (for example) should give the awards to all the kids. I think the winners should be awarded for their hard work. Now I don't have an issue with everyone who participated and tried getting a certificate of recognition but the winners do need the special recognition. Same way with grades. The exceptional students should get the awards. Every child has to find what they are good at and shoot to succeed in that area.
Proud Navy Wife since 1/10/06; 
Mother to McKenna since 12/11/08, McKaela since 5/27/10 & 
Maisie since 8/15/11.
Due in September? Join us in September 2011 Babies!
I agree completely, Stacy! Mark and I have already talked about the fact that if our kids ever "receive" a trophy for a game they didn't win or a meet they didn't place, anything other than an Honorable Mention or certificate/award of participation, will not be accepted. You are so very correct that you do earn so much more through failure...especailly when your "win" is handed to you.
Quoting HamBergerMama:My kids won't get an award for something that they didn't earn. The "entitlement" mentality is somehting that starts so young and we are definitely beginning to see the affects on our society as a whole.
You learn so so so much more through failure. You are motivated to do better if you don't always get first.
Proud Navy Wife since 1/10/06; Mother to McKenna since 12/11/08, McKaela since 5/27/10 & Maisie since 8/15/11.
Due in September? Join us in September 2011 Babies!
Some very good points have been made here. I think it's a disservice to make children think they can always be a winner, in everything. That isn't the way to build confidence, in my opinion. It only builds false expectations. Children need to learn how to deal with failure. Encouraging them and telling them you are proud that they tried is the way to go, I think.
Happy Mothers's Day!
- Harris06
on Jul. 16, 2012 at 10:54 AM