๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ต ๐๐ข๐ด๐บ ๐๐ด ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ต ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ? ๐๐ฉ๐บ ๐๐ช๐ฅ๐ด ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ต๐ณ๐ถ๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ
The Myth of Ease: Why Struggle Is Necessary
We love our kids and want to give them all the things we never had growing up. And often, that means we also want to protect them from the struggles we had. But hereโs the truth: had we not struggled, would we even be where we are today? Would we be able to give them the life we now provide?
Modern parenting often tries to make things easier for kids. It comes from love, of course โ a desire to support and nurture โ but sometimes, we unintentionally weaken their capacity for growth.
Watching my preschoolers, I see this play out all the time. Theyโll try any shortcut to get the task done quickly, often skipping the process just to get to the reward: playtime. And no, itโs not nice watching your friends play while youโre still finishing your work. But thatโs what happens when we avoid doing hard things โ we miss out on real growth, on the pride of completion.
That same child, though, often glows with pride and self-discovery once they finally finish. They realise it wasnโt so bad after all โ โWow, I can do this,โ they say. It was hardโฆ but they evolved.
Hard Things = Growth Opportunities
As mentioned above, difficult tasks develop patience, grit, and flexibility. Many of my younger students cry when they donโt get something right the first time. But after another attempt or two? The tears disappear, confidence grows, and theyโre ready to try something new.
We need to get rid of the idea that being good at something means getting it right the first time. That belief haunted my own childhood. Discipline is not a punishment โ itโs a toolkit for resilience.
Discipline Is a Muscle, Not a Trait
Discipline, Iโve learned the hard way, is a game-changer. Itโs one of the most important things we should be teaching our children. Just like building physical strength or getting through a tough phase in life, discipline must be practised.
Simple daily habits โ like doing chores, journaling, setting screen time limits, or meditating โ help strengthen this muscle. Science backs this up: discipline improves self-control, focus, and long-term motivation.
From Resistance to Openness
Children who are allowed to struggle and overcome become more open to new experiences. Theyโre not afraid to try.
Iโm living proof of this. I still have fears. I still doubt myself. But Iโve lived in three countries, performed on stage, and started a company on my own. And all of it started with just trying. Those hard things didnโt break me โ they built me. Each small win gave me the courage to step into the unknown again and again.
Sign up for something hard and finish.
Real-World Readiness
Doing hard things in childhood doesnโt mean enduring trauma. It means not giving up at the first failed attempt. It means encouraging kids to try again even when itโs scary. Itโs about introducing them to new people, places, and situations that stretch them.
These experiences give them real-life skills: responsibility, time management, teamwork, adaptability. In short โ the exact things theyโll need as adults.
Real Life Stories
At Camp Evolve, we had a young boy who was hesitant about everything. I saw a reflection of my younger self in him. If he thought he wouldnโt be good at something, he didnโt even want to try.
But five days of simple encouragement โ โJust try. Itโs okay.โ โ changed something in him. He started to believe heโd be okay. He became more confident. He made friends. He realised he wasnโt the only one with quirks โ everyone has them โ and everyone also has strengths that shine in different ways.
And look at Michael Jordan. Still admired by kids today, he was famously rejected from his high school basketball team. But he didnโt quit โ he doubled down. His success was earned through dedication and resilience, not overnight talent.
Michael Jordan Quote.
What Parents and Educators Can Do
Let kids fail safely. Donโt rescue them too quickly โ let them sit with the discomfort and learn from it.
Encourage trying before helping. When they ask for help, ask: โWhat have you tried so far?โ
Praise effort, not just results. A child who keeps going deserves celebration.
Pick โjust-rightโ challenges. Not too easy, not too overwhelming โ just enough to stretch.
Expose them to new people, places, and experiences. These build adaptability and courage.
Model discipline. Show your own routines and how you stick to them, even when you donโt feel like it.
This is how we raise kids who are brave, capable, and ready for life โ not just academically, but emotionally and socially too. Let them struggle. Let them rise.
Because the hard things? They build everything.
See you next week for more 5-Minute Thoughts, where youโll get the Evolve Perspectiveโsmall reads, big shifts in how we see childhood and learning.
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