A pharmacist who also practices philosophy has shared some insightful advice about parenting on TikTok. As priorities shift due to the responsibility of caring for a child, this dad has discovered that children should know the difference between being special and exceptional.
Children Should Know They Are Special
As children grow and become more autonomous, parents still have a responsibility to ensure their emotional well-being. This includes accepting and loving them for who they are, as well as having reasonable expectations. It is important for them to be able to distinguish between being special and exceptional. It is also crucial to avoid putting undue pressure on a child to be exceptional.
A TikTok user known as @philismypharmacist, recently shared his thoughts on the realization that one’s perspective on life changes when they have children. He explained that as a parent, one comes to understand that all children are special and unique and that there’s a danger of placing too much emphasis on the idea of being exceptional. The dad further added that when people have kids, it makes them understand that it’s not necessary to be better than everyone else.
Being Special Is Not Being Exceptional
The TikTok user shared a personal experience from his teenage years of feeling inadequate because of his height. He used to wear two pairs of pants to appear taller. He reflected on how this negative self-perception affected him and how his perspective changed as he got older and realized the value of being unique. After becoming a parent, he understood the importance of not placing too much emphasis on being exceptional, as it can lead to disappointment and failure. He wants his children to understand that their worth is not based on being exceptional but on being unique.
The TikTok user, who actually goes by Phil, shared the sentiment that he loves people for their personalities and individuality, regardless of their intelligence or speed. He also shared his desire for his children to know that they will be special, even if they are not exceptional. This thought resonated with over 1.3K viewers, many of whom thanked Phil for his words.