Don't Do Nice Things For Your Children....

In my last post I lamented the future disappointment of a child who has been led to believe she has superpowers. When that child finds out that they don't control flight they are going to be incredibly disillusioned. Who cares about being able to hang upside down on the monkey bars when you though you could make airplanes shake with your mind?!

Well, I noticed a similar scenario at Dodger Stadium. I noticed a family that was having dinner on the field of Dodger Stadium after the game. The sun was beaming, round tables were covered with beautiful white cloth and chefs in aprons and hats prepared food. All the while three children, two girls around 13 and 11, and a little boy no older than 8, ran around the foul area between home and third base. Then I noticed that All-Star left fielder Andre Ethier was on the field with them. He went up to the kids. signed some balls and then he joined them and their parents at the dinner table!
Some people might have looked at this scene and thought. Wow, what a great moment for those kids. what an awesome day for them. not me though. All I kept thinking was, "how bummed out are they going to be the next time they go out to dinner."
I can see it now...
Dad yells upstairs, "Kids were going out to dinner!"
The kids run to the top of the stairs all abuzz with excitement.
"We are going to Chuck E. Cheese." The kids look puzzled. The youngest asks, "Chuck E. Cheese?"
"Yea, it's going to be great. Aren't you excited," dad asks.
"Who is going to be there", questions the 13 year old.
"Well, just us honey."
The 11 year old girl chimes in, "So no professional athletes? What about a famous actor or actress? Lady Gaga?"
Once the kids realize that it's just a regular night out they will attack.
"What gives old man! You call this quality time with your kids!?!? Don't you love us?"

Those parents have set the bar way too high now. How are they going to top that? Everything they do from now on is going to pale in comparison to that moment. Their children are going to be so underwhelmed by the rest of their lives it won't even be funny. What's worse is that other people are going to be held to those same lofty standards and expectations. Can you imagine having to take anyone of those girls to prom? You better have Shaq, Kobe or LeBron as your driver. If not she is going to be unimpressed.

Here is my point, if you are a parent, set your kids expectations low. Don't do things with them at such a young age that th rest of their life experiences seem bland. Its gotta be tough when you're eight years old and the rest of your life is all down hill.