From Preschool to Theoretical Physics - Coach Roland on Life Long Learning

As a parent you must look into your heart to find the right measure of giving and withholding, of giving and receiving, of taking charge or deferring, of gentleness or firmness. No one can teach you this: you must search out the way with attentiveness, kindness, concern (not worry), and prayer. If you really and truly want to do what is right, and honestly admit in your heart that you don't know what to do, and if--and this is the big if--you get your ego out of the way, you will be given wordless intuitive guidance. Here's an example of understanding. Your son is in his room, but not doing his homework. Normally he does. Instead of barking orders from the living room, you thoughtfully take a look to see what is going on. You see that other kids are outside playing. You notice that today is the first sunny day in weeks. You remember that your son has been sitting in class all day. So you say: "Billy, why don't you get some fresh air and you can do the homework later?...

So many parents get so bogged down in the homework issue that they forget about the most important thing of all: the relationship. Relating to your child with love and understanding is a million times more important than any particular homework assignment. . How much homework did Einstein do? Who knows? Who cares? He did not do very well in school. So instead of homework, he was probably doodling and daydreaming. Does your child doodle and daydream? Maybe he or she is another Einstein. . Many people do not know that when Mozart was a kid, his dad took him on several long trips. His dad intuitively knew that music was important to his son. He took his little son to major music centers so that he could meet composers, perform, attend concerts and see operas. One trip, when Mozart was 7 years old lasted 3 years! He and his dad visited all the major music centers of Western Europe. . Another trip, when he was 11 years old, lasted 15 months. He got to meet Johann Christian Bac...

Keep things in perspective. Twenty years from now you child won't remember how he did on one assignment. Someday, no one will even ask her what grades she got. But she will remember some special moment whether you demonstrated love and understanding or not. Like I said, when I was teaching M.B.A students, I was tough. I made the course rigorous and I was not interested in excuses. But..........If your child does not want to do her homework (or is having trouble with her homework), it is not her fault. And if she doesn't like school. there is a reason. Trust me. Maybe I can help you discover what is going on. , Here's an example maybe you can relate to. Think about your work. Remember when some hard hats, who did not have a clue, came around the work site? You had to humor them and keep them from getting hurt. You couldn't wait until they were gone, so you could get back to work. Think back to some incredibly boring staff meeting or office meeting. Someone up front went ...