Best parenting advice I have ever seen:

[Skip]

I like it! I like the ideas and principals the most.

Some of it I find unrealistic. How did their kids find the time to take AP courses, play a sport, be in a club, volunteer in the community, and restore a Mustang? That doesn't add up. I took AP courses, I was in a club that required practice three days a week after school and competition almost every Saturday for most of the school year. I went to church and did community things. I worked part time to pay for car insurance and spending money. I didn't really have time for much else. When it came time to go to college, I had spent zero time figuring out what I wanted to do in life.

[HoneyBadger]

I like it! I like the ideas and principals the most.

Some of it I find unrealistic. How did their kids find the time to take AP courses, play a sport, be in a club, volunteer in the community, and restore a Mustang? That doesn't add up. I took AP courses, I was in a club that required practice three days a week after school and competition almost every Saturday for most of the school year. I went to church and did community things. I worked part time to pay for car insurance and spending money. I didn't really have time for much else. When it came time to go to college, I had spent zero time figuring out what I wanted to do in life.

I think the real takeaway here is the principles that govern the story. Every family situation is different. Maybe you can't afford to do some of those things, but the ideas can be applied to other things. No, you don't need to have 12 kids... Most of the ideas still apply to any number of kids.

[nathan0259]

Great read! This stuff is not impossible. Consistency is the key. My 2 year old knows he must pick up and put away toys when he is done, he helps clean up after himself and we read a book every night.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Some of it I find unrealistic. How did their kids find the time to take AP courses, play a sport, be in a club, volunteer in the community, and restore a Mustang? That doesn't add up.

I don't know why it doesn't add up. I took 3 AP courses (faculty wanted me to take a fourth but I drew the line), was on the school rifle team, computer and other clubs, Scouts, acolyte at church. I didn't restore a Mustang but I probably had time to do so if my father had dumped an opportunity and support in my lap like that. It's the part-time work for spending money that killed you -- I had dropped my paper route before I got use of the family car so no longer had that chewing through my time (or supplementing my bank account).

[Skip]

I don't know why it doesn't add up. I took 3 AP courses (faculty wanted me to take a fourth but I drew the line), was on the school rifle team, computer and other clubs, Scouts, acolyte at church. I didn't restore a Mustang but I probably had time to do so if my father had dumped an opportunity and support in my lap like that. It's the part-time work for spending money that killed you -- I had dropped my paper route before I got use of the family car so no longer had that chewing through my time (or supplementing my bank account).

Yes, looking back though, those jobs were important. It taught me a lot and I learned. I really only had use of a family car when my Dad wasn't at work, so if I wanted to drive, I had to pay my way. Which actually helped me get to school activities and competitions around the state--we didn't always get a bus like other clubs did.

To think these days most child-adults will graduate from college at 23-25 and not know how to keep a job is appalling. How could such a person ever be modestly successful with that little experience?

I guess that explains a lot of the millennials I've encountered in the wild. (Yes, I know there are great exceptions to that) And it explains why Zerocare covers "children" until they are 26--that is the new age of maturity for most.