Pushy Parents beware!?

Question

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/portal/2008/04/01/ftgenius101.xml

It seems that "child prodigies" rarely fare that well as adults and they all insist that their own children will not be pushed or hothoused. Is there a lesson here?

Answer 1

I personally know of two girls who are now dead, because they were unable to deal with other people's high expectations.  It's very sad.  

That still doesn't give my kids a let out though, when I tell them I expect some work done for their GCSE's!

Answer 2

thank you for info

Answer 3

Of course there is

Parents should not push their child to succeed in whatever it was that they failed at

that's what it all boils down to

I'm all for encouraging your child if they show talent in a certain area but theres a line between encouragement and force

Answer 4

At the age of 5 my child was classed as a child prodigy.At the age of 11 she was still gifted.At 15 she became interested in make-up,mates,football and reggae music by 16 she had 10 scrapped through passes in her G.C.S.E's.She now works in a call centre and is happy as Larry.Just goes to show eh!

Answer 5

I was considered a child genius ...........then into adulthood I was just considered a genius ........................... so its not all bad.

Answer 6

i think 'pushing your children' is wrong .. @ the end of the day .. you love your child no matter what .. .. there your children not a pet .... you can support your children .. or give them advice when you feel something they want to do wont work out and if they dont take that advice .. be there for them when it doesnt work out .. and never say 'i told you so ' etc ... x*x i hope i made my answer clear and not babbled too much lol xxxxx

Answer 7

Sounds like this is actually a more common story than it's made out to be.

She may have been a child prodigy, but the abusive father always seems to lead to women choosing a terrible path.

Yes, I said choosing. Her father's abuse didn't force her to become a prostitute, although it did affect her pathology.

Answer 8

Well my kids won't do a d**n thing I ask them so perhaps there is a lot of hope for them.  However, I have never once considered waking them up randomly in the middle of the night with a punch to the face!

Answer 9

I think a balance shoud be struck between pushing too hard and not hard enough. I think just as many kids go off the rails because their parents didn't push them hard enough to make something of their lives!

Answer 10

130 quid an hour sounds alright though !

I think its a drag being a pushy parent.  I tried it for about 5 minutes but soon got fed up.  I encourage, advise, help but at the end of the day, it their lives.