<p>@SevenDad, I like your comments, and I value your presence on CC. I’m fascinated by our differences in child raising philosophies, but please don’t take my comments as an attempt to win an argument. </p>
<p>What are the children sacrificing to clear three hours in their daily schedules for practice? Amy Chua was fairly clear on the sacrifices she (at least at first) required of her children. No play dates, no sleepovers, no theater. Neither t.v. nor videogames. Top marks in every academic subject–thus, hours of homework. No freedom of choice in extracurriculars. </p>
<p>You know, there are some deals I’m not willing to impose on my children. Adults value perfection. Children value fun. I don’t believe the argument that you’re only having fun once you’re an expert. To me, that’s a variation of the “It’s for your own good. You’ll thank me for it later” argument.</p>
<p>I’m not arguing for Summerhill. There are things children need to learn to do. They do need to do homework, and there are lots of things they wouldn’t put on their personal “must master” list. As they get older, though, they do need to learn how to navigate peer relationships. They need to learn how to operate without parental pressure. They need to organize their time effectively, and they need to learn to balance work and play.</p>
<p>Many will also need to learn how to find new interests, when it becomes clear that, despite maniacal practice throughout childhood, they aren’t the leading soccer player or violinist of their generation, or even their city. They need to be resilient enough to follow other interests. </p>
<p>For some reason, I’m thinking of Frost’s Birches. (To any students reading this, please follow the link, and read the whole thing.) There are many experiences I carry with me from my childhood. They help me to understand new things, somehow. I would like to offer my children a richness of experience, rather than a predetermined focus on accomplishment. I think they will be happier, and will be able to do more in the long run. Your opinion may differ, and that’s great. It’s a big world, and there’s room for more than one school of parenting–although the “animal mom” stuff is downright silly.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[66</a>. Birches. Robert Frost. Modern American Poetry](<a href=“Authors - Collection at Bartleby.com”>Birches - Collection at Bartleby.com)</p>