Son,

Parenting is difficult. Your sister was in the Rainbow Honors Program in elementary school. When she was preparing for middle school she told me that she no longer wanted to be in the honors program. I asked, “Why not.”

“Well”, she said in her 12 year old wisdom, “I don’t have enough time to talk on the phone with my friends.” It certainly seemed logical to her. She learned that there are times when a parent must pull rank.

She remembers that encounter – it happened about 17 years ago and she brought it up last week. She was talking about her own children and she told me she remembered our conversation of years past. She thanked me for protecting her from herself. I had pondered that conflict for all of these years, wondering if I had made the correct decision.

We do not always make good choices – but as you say – always act out of love and you have the best chance of success.

Dad