A Letter to the Professor who Said I Shouldn’t Read to my Kids
What do bedtimes stories and private school educations have in common?
Answer: They both create an unfair advantage in life for children whose families provide these things versus children whose families do not.
According to an English philosopher named Adam Swift, certain activities, namely private schooling, shouldn’t be allowed for that very reason.
In a recent interview with ABC Radio, Swift further claims that reading to children creates even more of an advantage gap than do elite educations. However, he does concede that reading together is an essential part of developing a family bond and is therefore an acceptable practice – BUT – parents should at least feel guilty for it!
Wait, what?
So you’re saying that I shouldn’t do everything in my power to prepare my kids for success because it’s not fair to the kids whose parents don’t? And if I do then I should feel like a bad person?
I might not be an “expert,” but that seems like incredibly backward logic to me. My job as a parent is to nurture my childrens’ interests and talents so that they grow into successful, independent adults…and that is exactly what I intend to do. Sorry, not sorry!
Why wouldn’t we teach our kids to accept exciting and life-bettering opportunities that come their way? Would you turn down a promotion at work because your colleague didn’t receive the same offer? No way!
Instead of holding our children back to meet the lowest common denominator, wouldn’t it make more sense to look for ways to help the kids who don’t have as strong of a support system? History has proven time and again that trying to make everyone equal and stifling personal growth and ambition has disastrous results.
Life isn’t fair. No matter what we do we won’t be able to change that because there are far too many variables beyond our control. Instead of fighting an impossible (and in my humble opinion, and illogical battle), we should focus our energy on reaching our own fullest potential so that we can share the best we have to offer with the world. And then we should pass that message on to our children.
So tonight I’m going to snuggle with my girls and read the next chapter in our Little House books, and I’m going to soak up these precious moments – with absolutely zero guilt. I might even work on that investment research I’ve been meaning to do in order to build their college savings.
There’s a lot of conflicting parenting advice out there, but hopefully this is one thing we can all agree on: our children deserve the very best we have to offer them!
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