I’ve been working with a few hurting students lately. While my nature is to nurture and comfort, I’ve found myself going against that temptation for their well-being.
Coddling has its place:
– During the crisis or immediate aftermath
– When reliving the event because of something that triggered the memory
Coddling can be harmful:
– It puts a student in a protective cocoon that prevents them from moving forward
– It can create a victim mentality in a student who gets comforted with every outburst or emotional breakdown
Nudging leads to health:
– When we nudge them toward forgiveness, they are freed from bitterness
– When we nudge them toward a new perspective, they learn to think strategically, rationally and objectively
– When we nudge them toward healthy goals, we help them see life as more than the moment they’re in – this gives them hope and determination
– When we nudge them toward biblical concepts, they (eventually) see how God can be glorified and others helped through their pain
