I voted YYA but I'm starting to wonder if I should take it back. I would make analytical thinking, and self education a priority. But grades don't really reflect that. Especially not in today's school system. While I would hope they would grow to understand the necessity of good grades, I begin to wonder if I would force it upon them knowing that they were bettering themselves with self growth. Now naturally if they start to think that failing out of school is a good idea then they are becoming illogical and irrational and that is a prime indicator that they are not doing any sort of analytical thinking. So, simply through typing this out, I have decided that **I** will not make getting good grades a priority, but instead instil upon them the tools to decide for themselves that getting good grades is a priority. It is the only way it will ever happen. They have to decide for themselves.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yeah, I could have added intelligence/curiosity in there. I wouldn't want robot kids, but kids who genuinely like to learn and having their grades reflect that.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Exactly. Grades are still very important. I wouldn't want my children to be at a point where they are facing a lifetime of financial instability. That chance of kind of future would be much lower with good grades. Yes, I do want them to try their best, but I think intelligence is one of the most valuable traits there are. I'd give my child every opportunity they would need, and if they chose to become an artist or actor I'd definitely be okay with that, but straight-A's (and the motivation/character that comes with it) would still be a priority. I want them to grow up and do things they love, and grades are important tools to get there.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Good grades and being clever, witty.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Doing their best would be the priority.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

But if their best isn't even that good (C's/D's) that's when you really need to step in, because you don't want them to lead a life of financial instability.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I definitely want my children to get good grades, but I'd rather instill in them a sense of motivation to be the best in whatever they choose to pursue. I was (still am) my own tiger mother, in that I would freak out if I were not getting perfect on each test and took initiative to do activities that would help me in my field rather than get me an easy A or into the best university, so I would like my kids to have the same ambition that I had... except maybe not as grades crazy-psycho-nazi-bitch as I was. I also would like to (but don't know how to) teach my children to be self-confident, because I don't want them turning out like me. They also need to have a love of other cultures and be amazing at Pokemon and Touhou.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

YYA, because you said 'one of'. There are other equally important priorities, like that they learn to make their own decisions and to be confident in themselves and that they understand that the seventies were a beautiful decade for music.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Their grades would absolutely not be a priority. Their work ethic would, however. I suppose they go hand in hand, but I only care about one. Personally, I managed to glide through school on horrendous grades, yet I never got held back or had any sort of problem passing.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Even if they got average grades, I'd like to be able to engage in intelligent conversation with my children. It must suck having really dull kids if you're not a really dull parent. I guess you just have to stimulate them in a fun way from a young stage, awaken curiosity.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That last part sounded sexual. "I guess you just have to stimulate them in a fun way from a young stage, awaken curiosity."

by Anonymous 12 years ago

FINALLY, an opinion we don't agree on. You've always seemed to phrase everything I'm thinking so perfectly and eloquently and it was creeping me out. Anyway, I've always had crappy grades and I wouldn't want to feel like a hypocrite. ...maybe I just shouldn't have kids.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

So, you don't want them to succeed financially, because that would mean being a hypocrite? //Honestly//.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That's not what I said, but I did end my post with "maybe I shouldn't have kids," implying that I know how silly all this is. I'm an angsty teenager; by the time I'm old enough to actually be worrying about kids, I'll have a whole different perspective. Also, the main point of the comment was just to be excited that she made a post I didn't agree with, which is kind of a weird thing to do in itself because I wasn't expecting anyone to care.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

good grades =/= equal financial stability later in life. I got some pretty bad grades and didn't even finish high school and I am financially stable and get paid quite a good wage for my age.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That's all fine and dandy, but not everybody can be as lucky as you. Not trying in high school and learning that it's okay not to try is a recipe for a disaster.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Well, obviously I wouldn't tell my kids to go out of their way to not try. Rather, I'd teach them how to get back up when they fall, and learn from their mistakes an that sort of a thing.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Never. It's horrible to have parents who expect you to get over 90% every time. (Not that I know from experience, just what I've heard.) How well they do in school hasn't got everything to do with how smart they are or how successful they will be. I'd much rather their priorities are things like being a good person, learning to think logically and make decisions for themselves, reading, and just trying their best. I'd expect them to put effort into their school work and not slack off, but I understand that high marks are not for everyone. As long as they do their best and pass, it's good enough for me. School isn't everything.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

That was my mom for a while. Now I'm the one who feels terrible about myself if I get anything less than an A. I don't think grades measure intelligence at all and should definitely not be a huge prioritity, work ethic and motivation, the things that get you to the grades, should be.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If you work hard and actually give a shit, 90% //is not that hard//.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, meaning I would instill in them the love if learning so that good grades could be possible. If they struggled, it would be my priority to get them the tools/ help they need to do well. My mother taught my sister and I the importance of education before we were in school. I caught on better than my older sister did and got better grades, so it depends on the child. Still, I am forever thankful to her for my love of knowledge and reading, and i hope I can succeed in doing that with my kids if I decide to have any.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Absolutely. I'm not going to be too crazy about it, but I expect A's and B's.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Being able to think critically would be pretty important, and this is something which is often neglected

by Anonymous 12 years ago

#1 priority is making sure they know that they can get help if they ever need it, without me questioning them about it too much.

by Anonymous 12 years ago