By: oksana

oksana — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:59:50 +0000

The congressional youth leadership council is a parent trap. My daughter was nominated at least 12 times in the past 3-4 years. The first time we were both filled with pride. As a parent – my child is a genius, and as a child – I am unique and gifted. As an adult, after you are getting through initial high of being parent of prodigy, you do careful research and realize that it’s nothing more than expensive getaway for kids, that it might be fun to spend few days without parents, see Washington D.C., meet new friends, and even participate in seminars. But… nomination has nothing to do with my child’s abilities as a leader, his/her talents, achievement, dedication. It’s not selective, it’s widely inclusive because at the end percentage of parents willing to pay so much for 4-7 day camp is much smaller than amount of invitations. How to explain to your child that this nomination is a marketing material to make us pay, and perhaps it has nothing to do with his/her talents without hurting his inflated ego at the moment that he/she is unique leader and future president, ambassador, etc? Do we have to cringe, because as a responsible adult you understand that nomination is not real achievement, that accepting it will do nothing more for leadership skills and future resume than any summer soccer/basketball camp, and for this amount of money you can bring your child and his friends anywhere. As a neurotic parent you are doubting yourself , how can I break this self-esteem happy bubble for my normal, talented, and wonderful child? Therefore, it is genially designed parent trap, with so many levels of playing with your consciousness and pride, and guilt, that common sense and knowledge of direct marketing of all for-profit organization trying to give up. After 12 nominations, endless reminders of deadlines, mysterious extentions of deadlines, warnings of a once in a life time opportunity, you are done. Now you have friends who’s children are nominated and they are going through their high of being a parent of future president, you are trying to share your knowledge and research, saying that it might be a great trip but nothing more than overpriced tour without parents. Be careful! You are now an enemy number one. You undermining the recognition of achievement of other parent and other child. So you either have to lie, diminish yourself to ‘that’s awesome’ or lose friendship. Trapped again. Kudos to marketing team!

Comments on: Leadership Seminars – Nothing But a Sales Pitch?

By: oksana