What does educating a child have to do with painting a room ?
Picture this: You planned your room decor thoroughly. Every detail was well thought out, and you were very happy with the results when tragedy struck. A flood in the room above it ruined the wall glaze effect that you so painstakedly worked on. Your paint peeled off of a 3 by 18 inch area of the wall leaving the bare drywall shown behind. Your plans are ruined. Do you declare the room a disaster? Do you start over from scratch or do you work with what you have? I had this dilema, which turned out to be not disastrous in the end.
What if this was your child?
What if you planned this childs life, his future, his education. Little Timmy would be a doctor, he would lead the family to greatness, the family would shine because of Little Timmy, and you will all be so proud.
But, suppose Timmy turned out to have ADHD. Timmy would never make it through math and Science with his self esteem intact.
Do you declare Timmy a disaster, and tell him he will never amount to anything. Do you give up on Timmy because he has ruined your plans for him?
Unfortunately, many parents do this.. and if not parents, then teachers or other adults. I say you need to look at Timmy again.
Everyone has a special talent, and Timmy does too. It is your responsibility to bring out the best in Timmy. Sometimes you have to look closely at the flaw to find out what treasure it holds, just like I looked at the flaw in my wall treatment and found a new beauty.
Here's the thing... educating a child has nothing to do with painting a room. Or at least it shouldn't.
You should never make a child's plans for him and expect him to follow them in order to make you proud. If you do you are setting up the child for certain failure. Instead examine the child, his likes, his dislikes and his flaws. Build on them, and you will be certain to find a precious gem that will be sure to make you proud.
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