Originally Posted by islandofapples
I like the well-rounded idea, but I read something that really made me think in the book The Other 90%. The author basically talks about how we all are made to feel that we need to focus on our weaknesses so we can be well-rounded.

He says that you should actually figure out what your strengths are and stop wasting so much time trying to fix or develop your weaknesses. He thinks your ticket to success is capitalizing on the unique strengths we each have in life. Build up your strengths, instead of shoring up your weaknesses. That really resonated with me.

I feel obligated to make sure my kid(s) try out a lot of different things and learn how to function in various situations but...
Ex:
If my child is introverted with so so social skills and loves to read, I'm not going to go out of my way to stress social interaction to make her some ideal of "well-rounded." We will go hit the library, instead. wink

I believe I read the same about not worrying so much about being "well-rounded". That's why I haven't pushed our son in the physical accomplishment department. He's 4.6 and has no interest in learning how to ride a bike. But he wants to be right there when you're taking apart the washing machine to see how it works.

It's important to be able to answer the questions on a test to pass on to the next "grade" (I hate that whole "grade" thing, btw.) I plan to encourage my son to focus on his weaknesses just enough to gather the GPA he needs to do what he wants in life. If that means a "C" in Phys.Ed., so be it.