One of my friend's daughters really, really enjoyed dancing, singing, acting, auditioning for commercials. Her aunt had won Survivor, or American Race, or Big

One of my friend's daughters really, really enjoyed dancing, singing, acting, auditioning for commercials. Her aunt had won Survivor, or American Race, or Big Brother, or whatever (they're all the same to me, I can't remember which it was) and she wanted to be just like her! Until the day at seven years old that she had to go to an audition, she sat herself down in the middle of the driveway and said, "No, no, no, no, I hate this, I hate this, please never, please," and wouldn't budge. My friend was forced to realize finally it had been all her, and not her daughter. Thankfully, she did get the message, was self-reflective enough to listen. What a strong little girl, I thought. I remember years of "loving" horseback riding lessons and shows as a kid because I wasn't strong enough to tell my mother I hated every minute of it. As a father myself now, I try very hard to listen and support what my kid is interested in, and not manufacture what I want him to be, and wonder if I still screw it up.