In a world where everyone gets a trophy, one father is taking a stand. His 12-year-old son recently placed 5th in a school-wide spelling bee, but was left disappointed when only the top three finishers received trophies. His mom’s solution? Get a participation trophy made. But dad’s not having it, sparking a household debate that’s sure to resonate with many parents. Let’s dive into this controversial tale.
Setting the Scene
The Spelling Bee Saga
Mom’s Solution: A Participation Trophy
Dad’s Disapproval
A Summer of Spelling? ☀️
The Participation Trophy Debate
Mom’s Fury
Dad’s Goal
The Crux of the Issue
Working for the Win
A Celebration Nonetheless
The Final Decision
No Trophy for 5th Place: A Tale of Tough Love
A 12-year-old’s 5th place finish in a school spelling bee sparks a household debate that’s as spellbinding as the contest itself. When the boy’s disappointment over not receiving a trophy leads his mom to suggest a participation trophy, dad puts his foot down, sparking a fiery debate. He believes in earning accolades, not just handing them out. His proposed solution? A summer of spelling practice to help his son aim for a top 3 finish next year. But mom’s not happy, accusing dad of stunting their son’s social growth. As the debate rages on, the internet weighs in. Let’s see what they have to say…
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Teaching kids to be good losers is more important than trophies.
NTA. Giving a participation trophy from parents can spoil a child
NTA: Participation trophies have benefits for younger children, but can be frustrating for older ones.
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Teaching vs. Protecting: Parenting Styles Clash!
NAH. Parents have different approaches to supporting their son’s growth
Participation trophies: Motivation for young kids, meaningless for older kids. NAH
NTA: Participation trophies for kids? Trash-worthy, says comment and reply.
Educator suggests understanding son’s motivations and offering alternative token
NAH comment: Participation trophies are bull, kids know better
Teaching kids resilience and goal setting!
Engaging debate on participation trophies and parenting styles
NTA. The peer mockery potential is astounding. Really bad idea.
Encourage resilience and growth by focusing on personal improvement
NTA, but watch your language. Good intentions, not stupidity.
Is it really a ‘participation’ trophy if he placed fifth?
Explaining that winning isn’t everything without making a big deal
ESH – Disagreement over participation trophies, but wife not necessarily AH
NTA: Trophy explanation is weird, celebrate with meal instead
Losing inspires us to try harder.
NTA: Teach him life’s not fair, but treat him to dinner
Compromise with your wife for treating him on a job well done
Trophy debate: YTA for underestimating your son’s intelligence and emotions.
Showing up and working hard matters more than trophies.
Did you receive participation awards? Let’s discuss the impact!
NTA, but opinion is strong. Participation trophies are harmless.
NTA: Teaching kids the value of hard work
Rewarding mediocrity with fake trophies? Not the a**hole here!
Validating the importance of disappointment and growth. NTA
NTA. Participation trophies are the WORST. Teaching resilience pays off
NTA! Encouragement > Participation Trophies. Wife’s wrong.
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Different parenting styles: participation trophies vs. celebrating achievements.
Teaching resilience: NTA comment encourages self-sufficiency and emotional management.
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NAH, both parents want son to succeed & be happy
NTA: No participation trophy = motivation to improve
NTA: Twelve-year-old should learn from failure, not be protected.
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NTA. Teaching resilience and independence > participation trophies.
Participant medals: NTA’s kid calls out the BS, hurts more
ESH on participation trophies, but parents need better communication skills
Learning to deal with rejection and disappointment is important
Teaching life lessons: No participation trophies. NTA
“NTA in my opinion. Learning from our ‘failures’ is essential!”
Rewarding effort with treats ️ is a great idea! NTA!
NTA, participation trophies can kill ambition and lead to embarrassment.
Reward effort with a special treat instead of a participation trophy!
NTA: Failure can drive effort, upset can teach valuable lessons.
NTA. Let your son learn from disappointment without coddling.
Participation trophies are for parents, not for the kids.
NTA: Teaching resilience and coping skills, no participation trophies needed.
From YTA to NTA: A Reward for Doing Good
No participation trophies in life!
NTA. Preparing him for real world. Offer to help him study.
Mom’s upset, but the child knows life isn’t always fair. ♂️
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NTA: Participation trophies are never good
Fifth place in the Spelling Bee, no trophy, and no entitlement. NTA
NTA: Participation trophies stunt growth
Millennial perspective on participation trophies: confusing and unnecessary
NTA. Personal experience shows the downside of participation trophies.
NTA. Participation fees for older kids are ridiculous.
NTA: Wife wants participation trophy after event. That’s insane!
Participation trophies made me feel invalidated. NTA for disliking them.
