第3部分(第2/6 頁)

耐煩了，問道：“丹尼爾到底說什麼了？”

過了一會兒，小女孩兒才回答說：“他說他剛理了個新發型。”

From　the　moment　our　children　are　born；　we　as　parents　want　to　give　them　our　best。　Shower　them　with　love；　wrap　them　in　security；　feed　and　fort　them；　respond　to　all　their　needs。

For　how　long　should　we　be　doing　this？　Is　there　ever　a　case　for　not　heeding　their　cries？　Being　in　a　position　to　alleviate　their　distress；　or；　quite　simply；　to　make　them　happy；　why　on　earth　shouldn’t　we？　If　nothing　else；　a　prompt　response　eliminates　a　lot　of　friction。

Never　mind　if　the　children　are　deprived　of　a　chance　to　explore　their　hidden　resources　through　longing；　yearning；　dreaming　of　things　they　cannot　have。　Of　the　supreme　satisfaction　of　finally　obtaining　something　long　coveted。

But　imagine　being　the　child　of　parents　who　have　allowed　this　pattern　to　continue：　Entering　the　adult　world　only　to　find　that　it　does　not　cater　to　your　every　need　but　is　full　of　individuals　likewise　deluded　into　thinking　they　e　first…

Imagine　seeing　your　relationships　fail　because　all　they　are　based　on　is　want。　Because　you　have　never　been　taught　the　art　of　renouncing　your　own　demands　for　the　sake　of　another…

Insistence　on　relief　the　minute　a　need　arises　is　as　bad　as　any　addiction。　Training　children　to　survive　unaided　–　physically；　emotionally；　socially　–　is　a　duty　all　parents　owe　their　offspring。　And　the　earlier　it　starts　the　better。

Would　you　be　one　of　those　who　go　through　life　apologizing　to　your　parents　for　being　what　you　are　or；　rather；　for　not　being　what　they　had　hoped　for？

If　so；　you　are　the　victim　of　an　artful；　not　unmon；　form　of　parental　manipulation。　Nothing　is　easier　for　a　mother；　or　father　or；　in　extreme　cases；　both；　than　instilling　a　sense　that　the　offspring　does　not　measure　up　to　expectation。