Awesome piece again dear Abbey.

But, what modern parents and caregivers don’t seem to be aware of is that these sort of praises don’t necessarily build self-confidence or boost academic performance.

I was about to say this before I saw it. In my opinion, it is better we compliment kids based on their achievements and performance not based on their endowment and their abilities. This will make them to work towards bettering their bests.

Sometimes, kids that enjoy the "best of caregiving" end up not being able to assume responsibilities when they grow up. I may be wrong, but this is my reason of saying this. Warriors are not made by patting them on the back, but by making them pass through challenges.

I remember something that happened a while ago. I went to my friend's house and it happened that his junior niece that just finished from secondary school came visiting. The niece was raised with a "silver spoon". I passed the night at my friend's house. The next morning, we were to have akamu (maize pudding) for breakfast. To my shock, she didn't know how to make akamu, which is among the easiest Nigerian foods. I was the one that later made the akamu for breakfast.

For the sake of the future of kids, some privileges should be given with limits and caution. Kids may not like the word "no", but for their own sake, there are times you should use it and be strict with it (that's my opinion though).

Nice piece Abbey. Much love from Nigeria.

PS: have you taken akamu before?