We just had a conversation with DD11 along similar lines. She was effectively complaining that one of her classes was too hard (in her typical, subtle "I'm smart enough to talk you into anything" style). Our response was basically, "Sorry, you haven't been putting in the work and therefore we can't side with you on this." After all, the class may be too hard for her right now, but how will we know unless she works at it?
I also pointed out that she can be or do anything, but that she can't just quit when it gets hard, because it always gets hard at some point.
In truth, we're happy that it's hard because it's taken years and a lot of effort to get her to a place where she has the opportunity to try something hard.
