It’s not always equal, but it is always fair! This is the phrase that I just know my kids are swearing to themselves that they will never EVER repeat to their own kids. . . but most adults I know hear it and adopt it quickly. OK, so there are lots of kids out there who are cursing me under their breath.
This has been an oft repeated motto in our home since my children were little. If you have even one child you are bound to hear the words, “but that’s not fair” at some point in their young life as they plead their case for the childhood version of equality.
Even if you are not the kind of parent who indulges you child’s every whim, you have likely grappled internally with the concept of how to make things fair — especially if you have multiple children. We never want to seem injudicious in our parenting, but trying to even the childhood playing fields does a dis-service to our children and wreaks havoc on our parental psyche. I have had clients who sit in my office twisting themselves inside out because they are trying to figure out how to arrange play-dates so that each child has one at the same time or are spending outside of the budget to even out awards and gifts. The story that wretched my heart the most was from a mom who was trying to create a vacation for her oldest child that equaled the character cruise vacation that the youngest went on with another family — the other family footed the entire bill and this mom didn’t have the financial means to do the same.
As parents, we can make ourselves crazy chasing equality, and in that, we miss an opportunity to help our children determine their own personal needs and desires independent of the collective consciousness. When we are willing to offer what each child needs, and yes, even within the same family each child is an individual with unique needs, “it’s not always equal, but it is always fair” becomes a point of reference for resetting our values. If we are seeking out and receiving what we want/need from a heart place, then we are always getting exactly what we need.
Here’s how to employ your own version of this at home. Say, for example, your child wants two pieces of candy just like Sally consumed moments earlier. You are reluctant to point out the comparison to lemmings jumping off of a cliff that your own parents used (let’s face it, that was just silly–sort of). To say,”It’s not always equal, but it’s always fair” to your child is not enough. Help them understand what you are implying.
“I know that Sally just had two pieces of candy, but you had a piece that was the perfect size for you. I know what you had for lunch and your body needs some more nutrients in it.”
Your child may not comprehend all of what you are saying, but like all good parenting, which lies in the depths of repetition, they will eventually adopt this process of searching for what ‘s best for them on their own. One day they will revel in making their own choices in spite of what friends are doing without your prodding. My children dislike this phrase, but they can now see for themselves that life is an experience unique to each individual and what works for one person may not work for another. They are more willing to seek their own hearts for guidance when they move away from the idea that everything has to be fair.
As parents, it is helpful if we adopt a similar line of thinking. In other words, if we feel like the Universe is unfair because we don’t have everything our neighbors, co-workers or siblings do then we will promote this concept of unfairness subconsciously to our children. Check your motivation when you feel that life is being unfair. Chances are, you will actually glean the perfection of the circumstance(s).
Little Soul Productions 