Why is it that we want our children to be tough and strong and resilient, and at the same time not have to be? As a college professor, I hate the fact that many of my students hold down jobs with too many hours (usually so that they can have a "cool" car, or pay the insurance that goes with it). Their work schedule eliminates the opportunity to take advantage of internships, seminars, studying or just being college kids, and they often are too exhausted to do more than the bare minimum in class. So when my son went off to college, I told him that school was his first priority, and I didn't want him working. Yet, when he came home for holidays, I found myself strangely irritated that he had "off time". I want him not to have to work, but I want him to want to in order to contribute to the family. Wow. How confusing is that? (Note--my son (a sophomore at UT) starts his new part time on-campus job as a lifeguard this week. I held out as long as I could....)
