<p>"Are we going to let our kids fail?" The title of this thread disturbs me - our responsibilities as parents are to love, train, teach, and encourage them to be decent, compassionate, responsible and independent adults. Once our kids have reached the age of majority, it's time for us to step back and watch as they spread their wings. Hopefully, we have done all we can to foster the growth of those wings - everything from smiling at them as they step on that kindergarten bus to allowing them to make decisions (and experience the consequences).</p>
<p>Unless there is a situation which involves intervention to prevent the loss of life, we must "let go" of them. Our kids are not our clones - they will have differing ideas on what constitutes "success" as they live their lives. And yes, we must "let" them fail (i.e., make their own choices).</p>