The Parenting Lesson We Can Learn From a Giraffe

 

1. The Parenting Lesson We Can Learn From a Giraffe

Recently, I watched a short film about giraffes that left a deep impression on me — and I want to share this lesson with every parent at Viby International School.

The film showed a mother giraffe who had just given birth. The newborn calf looked so tiny, soft, and fragile — anyone would feel like holding and cuddling it. As I watched, the little giraffe slowly tried to stand up on its wobbly legs. It struggled, fell, got up again, and fell once more.

Finally, when it almost managed to stand on its feet, something shocking happened — its mother kicked it hard, sending it tumbling back down! Again and again, the calf stood up and the mother kicked it back down.

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2. Why Did the Mother Giraffe Do This?

At first, it seemed cruel. But the film’s commentary revealed the deeper truth:
Without these kicks, the baby giraffe would stand — but it wouldn’t become strong.

In the wild, baby giraffes must quickly learn to stand, walk, and run — because predators are always near. The mother’s harsh kicks were her way of training her calf to build strength, balance, and survival skills.

She knew one simple truth: sometimes, a little struggle today builds the strength they need tomorrow.

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3. Are We Doing the Same for Our Children?

Sadly, what I see today is often the opposite. Many parents — especially in comfortable cities like Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or right here in India — feel the need to do everything for their children.

1. We want to protect them from struggle:
2. We solve problems for them.
3.  We do their tasks when it gets tough.
4.  We remove every small challenge.

But by doing this, we often take away the very thing they need the most: the strength to stand on their own.

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4. Why Children Need Little Kicks Too

Sometimes, like the mother giraffe, we must give our children the gentle push to try, fail, and try again. This doesn’t mean abandoning them — it means staying beside them, cheering them on, and letting them grow stronger through small struggles.

As Robert Schuller wisely said, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”

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 5. How Parents Can Build Strong, Independent Children

So the next time you see your child struggling:

• Don’t rush to fix it for them.

• Be there to support, but let them figure it out.

• Give them space to learn patience, problem-solving, and resilience.

• Celebrate their effort — not just their success.

Sometimes, the best gift you can give your child is not making life easier — but making them tougher.

At Viby International School, we believe in this balance: nurturing children with love, but also giving them challenges that prepare them for real life.

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 6. Let’s Raise Strong, Resilient Children Together!

Join us at Viby International School, where your child learns not just academics, but the life skills and resilience to stand strong in any situation.

 Contact us today to know more about our unique programs and open admissions.