Good Character
(Here is one way to build character)

 

Let the Butterfly Struggle

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There's a parable about a new mother who discovered a butterfly struggling mightily to escape its cocoon through a tiny opening at the top. She became concerned when the creature seemed to give up after making no progress. Certain that the butterfly just wouldn't make it out without help, she enlarged the hole slightly.

On its next try, the butterfly wriggled out easily. But the young woman's joy turned to horror as she saw its wings were shriveled and useless. Her well-intentioned intervention turned out badly because it interrupted a natural process. You see, forcing the butterfly to squeeze though a small opening is nature's way of assuring that blood from the creature's body is pushed into the wings. By making it easier, she deprived the butterfly of strong wings.

 

Childhood, too, is a sort of cocoon. If a healthy adult is to emerge, parents must allow, even  encourage, their children to struggle, to make mistakes and learn from them, and to pay a price for their own bad judgments and conduct.

 

Of course, good parents should be ready to protect their children from serious harm. But being overprotective can itself cause serious harm. Adversity is not always an enemy. It's often a care giver, teacher, clinician or some mentor that

helps young people develop wings, strengthened by self-confidence and self-reliance.

 
Helen Keller once said,

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared and ambition inspired and success achieved."

(Michael Josephson from Character Counts!)

             

 

 

                                    

With our training programs, we offer staff opportunities to build an impressive

cocoon (special environments) using Restorative Practices.

 

 

 

 

Every  minute spent with kids is quality time.

What other type of time is there?