RE: When Death Called, I Answered
What a sad story. As a parent, I wanted my son to be happy and have a career that he enjoyed. Yes, school was important, but not everything. My son went to Boston Latin School, one of the top high schools in the US. (ranked #42 in 2017) It is the top high school in Massachusetts.
I saw the pressure some of the parents put on their kids. Some were grounded for low grades. Others were nervous wrecks, worried about their grades and didn't get to experience the fun of being a teenager.
My policy was what ever grade he earned was fine with me, as long as he could look me in the eye and tell me that he gave it his best at the time. Givin your best doesn't mean bring home A's in every subject. There were times when his best was effected by circumstances in his life and his grades reflected those facts.
Today he is a happy in his chosen career as a Mechanical Engineer. He still loves and enjoys learning.
This is beautiful. Thank you.
We Africans are quick to think such things only happen here, that the grass is greener on the other side.
Obviously not.
Sadly, I don't think this drive, the push on the kids by the parents will stop.
I believe it is a cultural. I coach a high school debate team, and have debaters from various countries in Africa on the team. They strive for perfection and losing a debate is considered a failure to them.
I teach them that FAIL means
First
Attempt
In
Learning!
I love that. True