Being happy might not be good

Not too long ago, an article in the Straits Times caught my attention. The headlines stated that "Singaporean Children have a happy life here" . Well, that's good news, or is it?

Over the last few days, I have seen "happy" kids. A boy eating in the train; a boy placed his foot on the glass window in a bus; a girl who jumped up and down in the lift, making rude facial expression to strangers; a young girl shouting loudly at her maid, and the list goes on. Those children were HAPPY. They were free to do whatever they like. Their parents just sat or stood beside them, oblivious to everything the kids did.

From what I see, working parents try hard to please their children. If they have the means, parents will satisfy whatever material needs the children wants. Parenting has been "outsourced" to maids, tuition teachers and the school.

In the past, the Chinese have 二十四孝孩子，now in Singapore, we have 二十四孝父母!! Parents listen to the children. I ever suggested to a parent that her child did well, and it would be best to place the child in a "better" school. She told me that particular sch was too far and she was afraid that the journey might tire the child. In addition, the child might feel lonely without any friends in the same sch. From her tone (very 不爽), I have the impression that she could not be bothered with what I said, and hence dropped the matter. (After all, it was just a suggestion. Who ask me to be a KPO and call her le? )

The point is making children feel happy might not be the best for them. For example, if the child refuse to go to sch, does that mean that in order to make him happy, parents let him stay at home instead?

I was not always happy with my parents decisions when I was young. I felt angry at them at times. However, I am grateful that they did not follow my wishes and did what was best for me. Making me unhappy once in a while is worth it, if in the long run, I benefit from it.


http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_181781.html