It is also a very thin line between a child's natural talent and his parent's aspirations.

Having no children of our own puts us at an advantage when it comes to observations.  However, we are also very aware of the work that goes into raising children.  It is a formidable task.

I have worked with some incredible gifted children, some not so gifted and some very hard workers.  In a perfect world, it would be easy to cater to each one and let them bloom at their own pace.  But there are plenty of interferences. 

So how do you watch your child and not want the best for them?  How not to want them to become lawyers, doctors or dentists?  The hardest thing is concentrating on having a happy and well integrated child.  A happy, well integrated child will always excel in anything they do, unlike an unhappy or frustrated person.  How many people have you met who make a decent living but are not happy with their professional lives?  I remember talking to a successful doctor friend of mine whose life long dream was to be a photographer.  He wasn't happy but he trudged along and became what he was told to.  The consequences are far reaching.  Unhappy people create unhappy marriages, that can create unhappy children, unhappy friends and neighbors.  What positive things do they bring to society?  What positive things could they have brought to society had they been allowed to explore themselves and unfold their true talents?

It's hard watching your child, wanting their very best but still having enough faith and strength to let them do what they were put on this earth for.  I'd rather see a happy artist than a frustrated doctor in the end.  The happy artists touch so many lives in positive ways.  The frustrated doctors leave a very small footprint behind.

Hey, that's a coachable situation!