tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post31791079378912887..comments2023-10-15T10:29:12.991+01:00Comments on Karyn's erratic learning journey: Taking my foot off the gas...The upsychohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-14492171537275688592009-11-29T17:55:23.872+00:002009-11-29T17:55:23.872+00:00@Don Thanks for that beautiful, moving contributio...@Don Thanks for that beautiful, moving contribution to the conversation!The upsychohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-50057977893642640642009-11-29T00:25:54.410+00:002009-11-29T00:25:54.410+00:00I could be your son. I'm not, of course, I li...I could be your son. I'm not, of course, I live in a different country/world and I'm older than you. My parents have passed on. Well, for what it's worth...<br /><br />Dear mom, I'm sorry I caused you so much anxiety. I simply never saw the point you were trying to make until I got married. Then, suddenly, it all made sense. I graduated from trade school second in my class (by a few tenths of a point) and I built a good life for myself. I got a first-hand taste of the pain you felt as I watched my daughter struggle her way through childhood. Now that she has kids of her own, we finally understand one another. The secret to a happy life is simply understanding that love is true wealth and the more you give, the more you will receive. In light of that truth, I've always been very wealthy and that started with you. Thanks mom.DonGuitarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13970965529323438113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-68474061463160638152009-11-17T23:15:17.281+00:002009-11-17T23:15:17.281+00:00@scot within hours, and totally in agreement. So w...@scot within hours, and totally in agreement. So we all agree that it's up to him. I should mention that he was copied in on the exchange, too. No secrets. He's an adult and I will not have him 'done to'.The upsychohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-44003195037313857252009-11-17T22:21:03.341+00:002009-11-17T22:21:03.341+00:00Wow, that's a great letter. To me, it's ob...Wow, that's a great letter. To me, it's obvious you've taken a very active role in your son's life and welfare and that you're truly aware of everything that's going on. You're right, too--he's in control of his own fate. We all are. That's something that's going to take him time to learn on his own, or not learn. As long as he is pursuing his passions (or trying to figure out what they are) and he is told that you love him, I'm not sure what else you could do. Did you ever get a response from the teacher?heyscothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04929989176638091203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-27334812154011144852009-11-11T14:36:21.539+00:002009-11-11T14:36:21.539+00:00@V_Yonkers Glad you think so. I can only hope that...@V_Yonkers Glad you think so. I can only hope that he will turn out to be a late bloomer. Having been like a wise old man at the age of 3, he is now more like the 3 year old he should have been then!<br /><br />I hope he knows that we love him no less as we embark on this new chapter, but my own physical and emotional well-being is at stake here, too - and I have another son who needs me as well. I can't burn myself out for one and deprive the other of the same level of support his brother had at the same age.<br /><br />Hindsight will tell us if we have chosen right. I hope not to have regrets.<br /><br />We have since heard from one teacher who wholeheartedly supports our action. This, at least, is a relief. I half expected them to burn me at the stake!The upsychohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-14363651176209971142009-11-11T14:27:01.422+00:002009-11-11T14:27:01.422+00:00What a great letter. Part of the problem is the a...What a great letter. Part of the problem is the age. My nephew went through this, I've seen students go through this, and I fear my own son is starting to go through this. <br /><br />At some stage, our kids need to take control of their learning and suffer the consequences when they screw up. Interestingly enough, some of my best students were those that say they blew their chance in high school or the first few years of college (16-20 years old). But then they "grew up" and realized that they really liked something and needed an education for it (or not in some cases). <br /><br />As long as they know you are there for support (moral and love) and to give them a reality check, it's time to cut the strings. I wonder if Bill Gates mom wrote a similar letter when he was in school?V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.com