Yesterday, I started working for my annual science exhibition at the school I go to.
One boy, a regular enthusiast, came to me and said he wanted to make a drone.
I responded by saying, while it is an excellent idea, maybe he could make a presentation about drones, but making one would be difficult.
I am now bothered by doubts that maybe I should have said why not. But actually I do know we cannot make a drone with old plastic bottles and tin cans- which is what we do usually. Our budget cannot be used to buy a kit, and I am opposed to buying kits on principle- for this exhibition- where innovation with existing stuff is what I want to promote.
However, should one disappoint a kid or should one give false hope and then let down? This dilemma has bothered me even with my kids. When they were small, I would not give false promises or out of place "sabaashi". In fact, even for ordinary stuff, I would give promises with a rider "if possible". But in my defense, I have never broken a promise if I make it and in my mind the "if possible" meant I have to do it. My husband on the other hand would promise the moon and it did not bother him if he failed to keep it. His philosophy is - don't disappoint the child when he comes to you.
I am never sure which approach is good for kids.
One boy, a regular enthusiast, came to me and said he wanted to make a drone.
I responded by saying, while it is an excellent idea, maybe he could make a presentation about drones, but making one would be difficult.
I am now bothered by doubts that maybe I should have said why not. But actually I do know we cannot make a drone with old plastic bottles and tin cans- which is what we do usually. Our budget cannot be used to buy a kit, and I am opposed to buying kits on principle- for this exhibition- where innovation with existing stuff is what I want to promote.
However, should one disappoint a kid or should one give false hope and then let down? This dilemma has bothered me even with my kids. When they were small, I would not give false promises or out of place "sabaashi". In fact, even for ordinary stuff, I would give promises with a rider "if possible". But in my defense, I have never broken a promise if I make it and in my mind the "if possible" meant I have to do it. My husband on the other hand would promise the moon and it did not bother him if he failed to keep it. His philosophy is - don't disappoint the child when he comes to you.
I am never sure which approach is good for kids.
1 comment:
thanks
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