Knowledge often comes from difficult situations.

Sitting around dinner, my wife shared a story about the school book fair. This year they implemented a new rule that only kids that had money were allowed to go down to the book fair to look at and buy books. In one class out the size of 22 kids 3 of the kids had to stay back in the room by themselves while they other kids got to go to the book fair. Perhaps they forgot to tell their parents about the book fair or the parents choose to not spend the money on books. The kids appeared to be really dejected about not being able to participate. It reminded me of the time that I had forgotten to tell my parents about the scholastic book ordering form and when all the books arrived I was the only one who didn't get any. It is in difficult situations like these that you hope the kids or their parents take this opportunity to learn. Learn that you don't have to do what everyone else does to feel like you belong. And if it is important to you next time you will remember to be prepared. Next time you'll remember to bring in the money or bring home the form to order books. It is another way for kids to learn responsibility without being explicitly taught it. It is about learning to handle difficult situations that seem huge at that age but really aren't. Without knowing, my parents allowing me to fail occasionally or deal with the consequences of my misstep or my irresponsibility. This allowed me to learn and mature. These experiences while difficult are easier experienced and learned from at a young age; Rather than when you are older and the consequences are so much greater.