This article from Psychology Today explains the dangers that come from parents micro-managing their child’s education (and other aspects of life) without the substance of  confidence to back it up.  Of course we all want the best for our children – to provide the very best opportunities – but the most pampered and force-fed child is not always the most prepared.  The one that has learned how to play the game, or better yet, learned how to manipulate mom and dad to manipulate the game often find out later they were playing the wrong game.

Perhaps proper preparation means that we allow them to fall down and then have the courage to get back up.  Perhaps it is important to let them face the fear and confront someone and even apologize for doing wrong.

Let’s grow our children with integrity, confidence and knowledge of truth.   Give them support to succeed but don’t mow down every sticker bush, and weed out every inch of the path along the way.

Encourage them to pick up a tool and work their own garden.  Let them fail.  Let them succeed.  They know the difference when it is their own.  And this will give them the confidence to manage their own important moments as well as enjoy playing the game.