<p>I would just sit back, she's only in 7th grade let her enjoy being a kid and not worry about that sutff yet, she's already doing wonderful. Pushing her harder will only stress her out.</p>
<p>Dr. H, with all due respect, you're 23. When I was 23, I wouldn't want to talk about my plan to have kids, let alone advising others how to raise theirs :-)</p>
<p>hahah this thread is hilarious...this must b a troll</p>
<p>sf2nolamom:</p>
<p>I think that your D is on the right track and this is what you can take care of during the next five years.</p>
<ol>
<li>Pick a strong high school that will enhance her academic potential.</li>
<li>Encourage her to choose the toughest courses she can handle properly without degrading her performance.</li>
<li>Ask her to choose few ECs and follow in depth wrt to many ECs and not doing much. </li>
<li>Plan for Junior year summer as early as possible trying to encourage her to apply to as many as possible internship/programs that are competitive and either pay the child to attend or are well recognized.</li>
</ol>
<p>the original post does seem somewhat unbelievable, but I think it is truly possible for a parent to get wrapped up in a child's potential and have a great desire to mold it. </p>
<p>I think a parent needs to support not direct, guide not demand, provide opportunity not force participation. That said, I can tell you that this is WAY easier to say than to do especially when you see talent staring you in the face.</p>
<p>No one can tell you how much to be involved. You will have to "feel' it. But this is a great place to come back to when your daughter is closer to college. There is a lot to learn about colleges and the application process these days. I find the knowledge here for things like that very very helpful. The neurotic chance threads and the angst from some of the students on here kinda scares the crap outta me, but it takes all kinds and I hope they will be happy where they end up, while their worries warn me to not push my kid into feeling so desperate about getting into "the" school. </p>
<p>OP, unlike Ivy's Parent I would say make sure your daughter takes classes she has a passion for or in which she is interested enough that she may develop a passion for them. Don't push her to take things just because they will look good on her college app. Provide her with some summer learning opportunities if you are financially able and if she wants to do them. But remember to let her be a kid. They grow up too fast, way too fast.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>am also worried about her chances to get into a good college in the future.</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>From the details posted, you have nothing to worry about in this regard -- she will definitely get into a "good" college. The only potential problem may be the definition of "good." The list is much longer than just HYP!</p>
<p>It sounds like your daughter is doing great, so there's no need to worry or push. I believe our job as parents is to encourage and to offer suggestions and opportunities. I'm personally not a big believer in academic or EC "passions" -- seems to be what every applicant has now that so many top colleges have declared it a desirable trait. Kids should feel free to explore and follow their interests without being under any pressure to develop expertise and a life-long commitment to something at this age.</p>
<p>The main concern through the teen years is having appropriate peers as their influence continues to increase, not just socially, but academically, too. Good luck and relax -- it sounds like you're doing a great job.</p>
<p>Everyone,</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice. I'm getting the message loud and clear -- relax and let our D develop into who she is supposed to be. </p>
<p>When I saw her scores I got so freaked out that I kinda panicked and went into "I must harness her potential" mode. After I posted my original comment I talked to her a bit to see if she felt I was pushing her too hard, and she said I'm not nearly as bad as some of her friends' parents (scary, huh?). She's a really great kid and I'll back off try a bit harder to let her be her -- with help from DH of course! :-)</p>
<p>My advice at this point would be to role model and support. Do all you can to facilitate her urges to dive headfirst into things about which she's interested or has developed passions. Cut stories out of the newspaper to discuss at the dinner table. Make a game out of learning - middle school can be an enthusiasm-killer for students as their peers ramp up non-intellectual expectations, and especially so for females. Let her know that you're proud of her enthusiasm, not just her grades or resume.</p>