>I'm doing everything in my power not to push my kids. I don't understand this. Children are simply adults-in-training. That's what they always have been for e

>I'm doing everything in my power not to push my kids. I don't understand this. Children are simply adults-in-training. That's what they always have been for every species on this planet. It is our job as parents to train them to be the best adults they can possibly be--for their own future benefit. In this world, that means make sure they excel academically as well as socially. Not pushing your kids is the exact opposite of this. Most kids don't have the motivation to study hard. It's your job to try to instill a love of learning, while at the same time pushing them to try their best in its absence. This modern idea of childhood as something to be cherished and protected for its own sake misses the mark. Childhood is a very delicate time for a developing child, so great care must be taken. But we need to realize that childhood is only 1/5 of a persons life. We need to make sure we give them the tools in that first 1/5 so the rest of their lives can be as fulfilling as possible.