Image: Flickr/Courtney Carmody

“But childhood prolonged cannot remain a fairyland. It becomes a hell.” (Louise Bogan)

Our children come to us as the most helpless of all species, and — at first — they depend on us completely for support and sustenance. But they grow, and — as they do — so should their kingdom. The problem comes when we try to protect them and their innocence as long as possible. The thought my be noble (and tempting), but it is ultimately harmful for our children. if they are allowed to exist in a prolonged childhood, a fairytale bubble, they’ll never develop the skills they need to not only exist in, but have influence over the real world in which we live.