Pedestal Child

 Oh dear, you're going to go places in this world. 

You’re so smart,

So talented,

So mature,

So quiet, 

So well behaved 

So kind, 

You never start fights,

You get along with everyone,

You’re always there to lend a helping hand. 

One day you will rule the world.

I was showered with praise as a child,

But that praise, it was a double-edged sword. 

I didn’t know it then.

I was a pedestal child.

I was so smart…so talented 

That's all anyone knew about me.

It was my identity.

But then I got older,

I lost that talent,

And being smart came with too much pressure.
Little did I know when I lost those,

I would lose myself, for I no longer had an identity.

I was so mature… so quiet…so well-behaved

I was never a kid. 

I had an overactive imagination, but unlike most, my mind was full of fear. 

I watched my every move wary of the consequences that would follow.

I was mature but a kid shouldn’t be mature.

A kid shouldn’t live by the rules, they should make mistakes. 

I was quiet but only because I was watching and analyzing,

Learning how to react to situations instead of living them. 

I was so kind…I never started fights.

This is code for I never knew how to stand up for myself. 

If I was always kind, I could never upset someone.

I ignored mean words and pretended I didn't hear them over my shoulder.

It was easier this way. 

Trust me.

I hate confrontation.

I get along with everyone…I’ll always help

I’m a people pleaser.

I can’t say no.

I don’t have a life. I live for others.

I won’t rule the world, 

I’ll never make an impact. 

Let's be real here, 

They set me up for failure,

Children believe everything.

You set them on a pedestal and idolize them they will never try to be anything different,

You tell them they will go places and rule the world they will believe you.

That's till the world inevitably kicks over their pedestal. 

Have you ever heard the phrase “If you put something on a pedestal it will fall”?

Well, I fell… hard.

I’m still falling,

Still struggling to figure out who I am.

When you're told who you are from the day you are born you never think differently. 

You’ll never know who you really are.

I don’t know who I am.

Don’t put children on pedestals

It's dangerous for them to fall from that high. 

: )