As a parent, you will undoubtedly protect your child from all the dangers of the world. You will teach your child all the knowledge you possibly can to give him/her a push in school and you’ll love someone like you’ve never loved before. And yet, no matter how much you never want to let go, there comes a time when your little baby bird simply has to spread its wings and take flight.
My parents sent me to a private elementary school called Challenger. Challenger was well known for its students, who were all taught at least 1-2 years ahead of the standard grade level in other schools. I wore a standard uniform consisting of a white buttoned up shirt and grey slacks, with an occasional maroon sweater on cold days. My dad set a rule that every day I must study one chapter ahead of the curriculum in all my classes and soon I found myself weeks and even months ahead of my school’s pace. Every few days, I was required to practice Mandarin Chinese and piano. All these extra little pushes at an early age served as a foundation to my education and without them, I wouldn’t have developed the right mindset or discipline to study on my own.
When 8th grade of middle school came around, I noticed that my parents were slowly loosening their rigid control over me. I was allowed to stay up later, my studies no longer had to be routinely paced, and the language lessons dwindled. And because of this newfound freedom, the day I entered a public high school was the day I finally spread my wings. My parents had without saying one word, allowed me to understand that my life was my own, and I would deal with the consequences or rewards of any decision I made. And thus, I studied and I played, and every time I began to lose balance, my parents were there to tap me back into line to make sure I didn’t drift too far.
I think this style of upbringing has been the best any child can ever receive and I am grateful to have been blessed with such understanding parents. By ensuring that my foundation of education and self-discipline were rock solid, my parents were comfortable with letting me do what I wanted, and as a result, I developed a sense of independence and confidence to do anything I wanted with my life.
I can only hope to be what my parents were for me.
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.
i agree wholeheartedly. despite the occasional pressures, my parents had a very hands-off approach with regard to my education and life choices throughout my childhood & adolescent life. i am very appreciative of them for this.
I like this kev