Making a Difference
Back in 1987, when I was 18, I began working at a daycare. I was with the company for seven years. The director credited me for starting the hug craze at the center. I didn’t set out to make a difference, it was just natural to give hugs to the kids when they were sad or hurt. I also brought in gifts for the children and parents. Little items ought out of my own pocket. Now-a days hugging and gift giving by an adult is all but forbidden in most jobs involving kids, especially within our schools. What a shame.
A while back, my daughter came home from school upset because she was scolded for hugging her male teacher. I raised her to be big hearted and care for others, then she gets told at school that she cannot give a hug. I understand that a lot of these rules are made to protect the teachers, but quite frankly I think it is teaching our children to be overly cautious and not show they care. I comforted her and allowed her to pick out a small chocolate gift basket to give to him instead.
Recently there have been a rash of schools across the country banning hugging among students. All students, not just couples are banned from hugging. Even friends cannot hug. These kids aren’t kissing or feeling each other in inappropriate ways. They are hugging, showing affection and love for one another in a non sexual way. I believe this is going too far. I am concerned because schools follow each others lead, how long before hugging is banned nation wide?
I send my child to school to learn academically, but I also hope that she learns teamwork, social cues, and, most of all, compassion. She needs to know that sometimes holding someone’s hand or giving a hug makes a world of difference in a person’s life. An inexpensive gift, such as the Lost Trail Pack that she gave to her teacher, can turn a bad day into a good day.
Where will the schools go from here? Will they eventually try to ban the children form speaking to each other all day? Ban them from giving gifts to each other? Prevent them from writing notes?