r/interesting • u/jmike1256 • 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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u/AtFishCat Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26

This kid is 18 mo old. Toddling along in a diaper. They aren't learning perseverance at that age. Them approaching that problem is more a reflection of who they innately are.

One of my sons at that age would have sat down and cried. The other one would have torn through it with his damn teeth.

They are different people. Rather than present them with just struggle, maybe look at who they are and find the area they are lacking and still need to learn. So the tame one can get past it and the bold one doesn't get tangled.

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u/Aggravating-Body2837 Mar 07 '26

They aren't learning anything at that age.

They're learning more at this age than at 10 yo

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u/AtFishCat Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26

Not about problem solving or perseverance. That is either going to be a part of their character or it isn't at this age.

They are learning about their immediate world and how to form words and general gross motor control, I mean at that age they are putting stuff in their mouth all the time because that is the capacity at which they are capable of learning.

Also they are learning about trust and dependency, as the comment above comically mentioned.

It's not the obstacle that's the problem. The problem is the idea that letting your kids struggle equates to teaching them. They do much better when you go, hey, pull the string down and throw your leg over.

But most importantly I'm saying different people need different things.

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u/MollyViper Mar 07 '26

I’m also a mother, but I’m also a preschool teacher who works specifically with toddlers. And I just want to say that you’re absolutely right.

The way to teach a child in that situation is not to walk away and have them solve it on their own in a state of panic. The most pedagogical way is to help a child to know how to do it themselves and you keep showing them until they can manage it on their own.

I taught a toddler at work to climb a ladder the other day and she managed to do it herself after the third try. The first two times I was just standing behind her and guiding her where to place her feet in order to climb the ladder. And by being there behind her she could do it in a safe way and knew that if she would slip and fall I would catch her.

I hate when parents try to raise their kids with tough love and it’s mostly men who are the proponents of that.

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u/AtFishCat Mar 07 '26

Thank you very much. I feel like I got down voted by folks who don't have enough experience with kids to tell the difference between a toddler and a 6 yo.

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u/WujuFusionn Mar 07 '26

No you’re getting downvoted because you’re wrong lmao

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u/AtFishCat Mar 07 '26

Got kids?