<p>My biggest childhood complaint “I’m BORED!”. My mom’s reply “Find something to do, I’m not your social director!” or “Why don’t you clean your room” (that usually managed to get me out of her hair as I was out the door like a shot to avoid the dreaded room cleaning!)</p>
<p>My oldest son is very self directed and ambitious. But my youngest is more like me and a lazy day reading or catching minnows in the creek (which I still enjoy) or–especially–hanging out with his friends, is what he wants to do and I am encouraging him to do it. </p>
<p>You are only 12, 13, 14 once. He is an excellent student and likes hard classes and does his best. Other than that he likes to relax. He has PLENTY of time to join the rat race and if that means he “misses out” on the big prestige schools –> fine with me.</p>
<p>It is hard to avoid the pressure and I don’t want him to have any regrets so we check in about it here and there. But, I admit, I hope he doesn’t trade in street ball for football or creek mucking for the debate team unless he really wants to do it.</p>