<p>"if kid is raised to always do the best, then, they should be smart enough to understand that where they attend is not as important as what they actually do at college.
- … Have you ever noticed that some parents would even buy the best toys, shoes or backpack, etc., for their child?</p>
<p>-This is by far is NOT what I meant at all. My own D. had toys and clothes from garage sales until about 9 y o. Why? Well, we were paying her brother’s college tuition and then just got used to cheap stuff. However, when I mentioned “raised to always do the best” I had in mind the fact that when D. was 5 y o I told her to always do her homework, that her school is her first priority and if she follow it, she will always get the best grade (not sure if she knew about A’s when she was 5 y o). Well, she absorb that one for the rest of her life and I know why. Because, when she got her first assignment, she did not know that it is the most important thing in her life and was ready to go to her sport practice which she absolutely loved with all the social activities. I said that we cannot go until she was done with her homework. Boy, it worked perfectly all thru graduating from college. I have notices many posts here that deal with parents frustrations about kids’ work habits. Well, do not wait until HS, tell them when they are 5 and just got their first 5 min. homework. This 5 min. homework might be the most important event in the future of the kid, it may make all the difference if a proper step is taking by the parent. It is not a small edge by no means, it is a pillar on which evertyhing else will be built.
Well, D. comleted her 5 min. assignment and she went happily to her practice, but she realized that she has to earn this privilege.
Well, after raising kid in a scond hand clothes, we are footing her Medical School tuition. This is our desire, not obligation, primarily for appreciation of her hard work and choosing her UG smartly where she was offered a full tuition Merit. And clothewise, D. lovesand shops at the very expensive stores out there. </p>