Jamie felt sorry for the butterfly struggling to emerge from its chrysalis. He decided to help, so he peeled the chrysalis open for the butterfly. The little boy was so excited to watch the butterfly spread its wings and fly off into the sky. Then he was horrified as he watched the butterfly drift to the ground and die because it did not have the muscle strength to keep flying.

Like the little boy, parents too often (in the name of love) want to protect their children from struggle. They don’t realize that their children need to struggle, to deal with disappointment, to solve their own problems, so they can develop their emotional muscles and develop skills and faith in themselves for the even bigger struggles they will encounter throughout their lives.

A very important perception children need to develop to be successful in life is the belief that, “I am capable.” Children don’t develop this belief by hearing their parents tell them they are capable. They need many experiences to practice their capability. Too many parents are robbing their children of these opportunities-- in the name of love.

You may not be aware of this, but many of your neighbors are dressing their children in the morning? Why do they do this? As everyone knows, it saves time and their children look better. Their clothes match.

The question to ask is, “Which is more important: expediency and looking good for the neighbors or that children learn to feel capable and competent?” Your neighbors need to realize that when they dress their children, they are robbing them of the opportunity to develop skills and perceptions of capability.