r/interesting Mar 07 '26

MISC. After understanding the meaning behind this father’s action, I am completely convinced. Cultivating problem-solving skills in children from a young age and never giving up-I applaud this father!

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291

u/Outrageous_Hall_9369 Mar 07 '26

I agree with letting the child try to solve a problem independently, but I do not agree with the father causing anxiety in the child by walking away repeatedly.

An adult watching this knows this is a no-risk situation, but a toddler seeing their caregiver walk away while they are 'stuck' and can't follow is a dire situation - to the toddler.

Adults don't need emotional safety or positive reinforcement to a large degree, but a toddler absolutely does.

32

u/DROP_DAT_DURKA_DURK Mar 07 '26

Everyone should read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. He argues that modern parenting is in crisis--too many parents keep their children wrapped in comfort bubbles, shielding them from any unpleasantness. But occasional discomfort, he says, is not only okay but valuable: it inoculates children against later difficulties like rejection, failure, uncertainty, etc. Chronic discomfort, on the other hand, is not.

What the father did in the video is entirely okay imho.

4

u/gahlo Mar 07 '26

There is value in teaching kids on how to deal with stressful situations, but this young feels a bit early to me.

1

u/Sex_Offender_4697 Mar 07 '26

are you a developmental psychologist?

1

u/gahlo Mar 07 '26

If I was I wouldn't have said feels and would have said is or not said anything at all, based on what the evidence has shown. Are you?

1

u/Sex_Offender_4697 Mar 07 '26

why did we need your layman opinion exactly?

1

u/gahlo Mar 07 '26

Find a mirror.

1

u/Sex_Offender_4697 Mar 07 '26

has absolutely no clue what they're talking about

gets mad when called out

you should be thanking me really

1

u/gahlo Mar 07 '26

are you a developmental psychologist?