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Its interesting to me because I'm conflicted to how to raise my children. There are a lot tiger moms around and you have to be confident that pushing kids acade

by rb808 9y ago

Its interesting to me because I'm conflicted to how to raise my children. There are a lot tiger moms around and you have to be confident that pushing kids academically might not be the best thing to do. My touchstone is my super academic cousin who has always topped their class in ivy league universities and who is also one of the most screwed up and unhappy people I know. So any article that says top grades aren't the best thing to strive for is worth reading. Self selecting I'm sure but a good counter balance to what is out there.

WheelsAtLarge 9y ago
Our school systems have been built with the idea of creating great workers and citizens not necessarily leaders so it's not surprising valedictorians are rarely millionaires. Kids are rewarded for following the rules and not causing waves. By definition changes come from those that don't like the rules and make their own. That doesn't define a valedictorian. I don't have any kids but I've always thought that sending kids to a school that uses the Montessori system would be my first choice for my kids. The way I understand it they focus on teaching kids to be more reliant on their abilities rather than going to someone to get things done. It gives kids the confidence to tackle problems where they don't have a defined path to an answer. They learn problem solving tools to reach their goals. I think this is a better way for kids to reach their goals in life as opposed to always relying on someone to help them. By the way, Jeff Bezos was a Montessori student.
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brianmcc 9y ago
I happen to agree. I also think that standing back a little, albeit with support and encouragement, and giving kids space to develop their own intrinsic motivation is far more likely to lead to a happy adult. I'd rather my kids grow up to be happy than some false measure of "successful".

by rb808 9y ago

WheelsAtLarge 9y ago

Our school systems have been built with the idea of creating great workers and citizens not necessarily leaders so it's not surprising valedictorians are rarely millionaires. Kids are rewarded for following the rules and not causing waves. By definition changes come from those that don't like the rules and make their own. That doesn't define a valedictorian. I don't have any kids but I've always thought that sending kids to a school that uses the Montessori system would be my first choice for my kids. The way I understand it they focus on teaching kids to be more reliant on their abilities rather than going to someone to get things done. It gives kids the confidence to tackle problems where they don't have a defined path to an answer. They learn problem solving tools to reach their goals. I think this is a better way for kids to reach their goals in life as opposed to always relying on someone to help them. By the way, Jeff Bezos was a Montessori student.

deleted 9y ago
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brianmcc 9y ago

I happen to agree. I also think that standing back a little, albeit with support and encouragement, and giving kids space to develop their own intrinsic motivation is far more likely to lead to a happy adult. I'd rather my kids grow up to be happy than some false measure of "successful".