Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of parents would do well to accept that their child is an individual with their own interests and talents. They don't have to be mirror images of their parent to be successful. Success is merely in the eye of the beholder.

Agreed 100%

I think a lot of parents would do well to accept that their child is an individual with their own interests and talents. They don't have to be mirror images of their parent to be successful. Success is merely in the eye of the beholder.

I would LOVE to have an average child. One who can speak to her friends and teachers at school. One who is unafraid to play in parks with other kids around. One who can tell her teacher when she gets hurt. Post this in the SN forum, and you'll have tons of parents who wish their kids were "average".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't thrill me. I'm super, super driven, and being around someone who's not would drive me crazy.

But you know what? Somebody's got to be the art teacher at an elementary school. Somebody's got to own the music store and give lessons on the side.

So it may as well be your son, you know?

My, you are a delight. I bet you are super fun at parties!

Whatever. You know it's totally true. We need custodians in hospitals and guys working the gas station and cab drivers and bus boys and, and, and.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ sounds like Penn State would be right up his alley.

It was during a Penn State tour.

They accepted him anyway.

*lowers head, walks backwards out of the thread and goes to pick up the silly little goose*

PSU stats

Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 530 / 630
SAT Math: 560 / 670
SAT Writing: 540 / 640

55% admit rate

would assume this to be higher for OOS and receiving merit aid

definitely not an "average child"

When will people stop throwing out numbers as if they're gospel? There are so many other factors that come into play.

An art portfolio could be one. Secondly, I didn't say they offered him merit aid. I said that many state unis did. I did not say Penn State was one.

He was still accepted into PSU OOS. http://news.psu.edu/story/286949/2013/09/10/rankings/penn-state-rises-2014-us-news-best-colleges-rankings - PSU is now a top 10 public university. An average child would have an SAT of around 1500 and attend a CC or a college with open enrollment. Your topic should have been "Am I the Only One Thrilled to Have a Child in the 90-95th percentile?"

Um...Did you really go to their website to research and pull up stats?

For what? To prove to me that my child is not an average typical teenager?

For the record: Keep in mind the stats shown on websites are generally for the AVERAGE for incoming students--Meaning many student scores fall well below those numbers (and others are above). Secondly, I really don't think OOS are held to a higher standard.

Anonymous wrote:My child is pretty average academically. We are usually thrilled any marking period that contains nothing worse than one C, and she isn't especially talented or dedicated in any non-academic area. She is coordinated enough but not great at a sport. She is musical and has a nice singing voice, however quit her instrument in middle school and hasn't looked back. She doesn't have a "passion", unless you'd count Instagram or watching YouTube videos.

But she has a really wonderful personality. She is wise and sensitive about people, and she is a lot of fun to talk to. She is a good listener, and she is a good friend. She is loving and kind. She also has a great sense of humor, although only her close friends and family see it because she's a bit shy.

I sometimes do wonder what my daughter will be like when she is older. Will she get into a decent college? Will she even care if she doesn't? Somehow I think she will be fine, finding her own path (whatever this may be). As long as she's willing to work hard and live an honest life I will be happy for her. Then again, she may be a late bloomer who surprises us all. It will be fun seeing where she ends up.

That's it! Enjoy the journey! And support her along her path.

LOL@ her "passion".

PS: I've been there. We've actually gone out to dinner to celebrate B's on DS's report card.

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't thrill me. I'm super, super driven, and being around someone who's not would drive me crazy.

But you know what? Somebody's got to be the art teacher at an elementary school. Somebody's got to own the music store and give lessons on the side.

So it may as well be your son, you know?

You're so right! I've always been a believer that we need EVERYONE to make this world go round.

So yes, you also need the homeless guy in front of the White House selling his paintings out of the trunk of his car to so that you have someone to point out to your children and say, "See, this is what happens when you have talent but no drive". We need people you can look at and feel better than because sadly, that's the only way some people can feel good about themselves.

But here's the kicker: I'm highly motivated and super driven too. HOWEVER, I wasn't at his age. And therein lies part of my delight. I was able to enjoy a stress-free childhood and high school career without feeling overworked, super tired, and suicidal. But that didn't stop me from growing into adult responsibilities. I'm thrilled my son was able to maintain a sense of humor, sense of self, and not overextend himself as a child....For what?

After juggling the most advanced courses, sports, ECs, community service, less than 5 hours of sleep per night, where do you go? Do you simply peak at 16? Many of those kids end up as happy, productive, successful adults--but no more so than the kid who didn't stress himself out in high school, partied through college, then grew the hell up in adulthood.

I also get annoyed with superiors or other adults who are not as driven as I am. But I remain cognizant of the fact my child is a TEEN--not an adult. I don't expect him to have the sensibilities or work ethic of one right now. (Though that would be nice.)

For your sake and your child's, I hope they are naturally driven. Because trying to hammer that circle into a square hole will frustrate and burn you both out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't thrill me. I'm super, super driven, and being around someone who's not would drive me crazy.

But you know what? Somebody's got to be the art teacher at an elementary school. Somebody's got to own the music store and give lessons on the side.

So it may as well be your son, you know?

My, you are a delight. I bet you are super fun at parties!

You think people invite that gem to parties?

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't thrill me. I'm super, super driven, and being around someone who's not would drive me crazy.

But you know what? Somebody's got to be the art teacher at an elementary school. Somebody's got to own the music store and give lessons on the side.

So it may as well be your son, you know?

My, you are a delight. I bet you are super fun at parties!

Your child is so not average.

It wouldn't thrill me. I'm super, super driven, and being around someone who's not would drive me crazy.

But you know what? Somebody's got to be the art teacher at an elementary school. Somebody's got to own the music store and give lessons on the side.

So it may as well be your son, you know?

My child is pretty average academically. We are usually thrilled any marking period that contains nothing worse than one C, and she isn't especially talented or dedicated in any non-academic area. She is coordinated enough but not great at a sport. She is musical and has a nice singing voice, however quit her instrument in middle school and hasn't looked back. She doesn't have a "passion", unless you'd count Instagram or watching YouTube videos.

But she has a really wonderful personality. She is wise and sensitive about people, and she is a lot of fun to talk to. She is a good listener, and she is a good friend. She is loving and kind. She also has a great sense of humor, although only her close friends and family see it because she's a bit shy.

I sometimes do wonder what my daughter will be like when she is older. Will she get into a decent college? Will she even care if she doesn't? Somehow I think she will be fine, finding her own path (whatever this may be). As long as she's willing to work hard and live an honest life I will be happy for her. Then again, she may be a late bloomer who surprises us all. It will be fun seeing where she ends up.

OP is clearly not just thinking her kid is average if she throws in stats, admits DS is going to Penn State (another issue in itself), and then keep gloating defending.. that's pretty funny, reminds me of my neighbor who at book club meetings said she hoped her kids were not AAP material (before she had kids) and now has two super average kids but really wants them to be in AAP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ sounds like Penn State would be right up his alley.

It was during a Penn State tour.

They accepted him anyway.

*lowers head, walks backwards out of the thread and goes to pick up the silly little goose*

PSU stats

Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 530 / 630
SAT Math: 560 / 670
SAT Writing: 540 / 640

55% admit rate

would assume this to be higher for OOS and receiving merit aid

definitely not an "average child"

When will people stop throwing out numbers as if they're gospel? There are so many other factors that come into play.

An art portfolio could be one. Secondly, I didn't say they offered him merit aid. I said that many state unis did. I did not say Penn State was one.

He was still accepted into PSU OOS. http://news.psu.edu/story/286949/2013/09/10/rankings/penn-state-rises-2014-us-news-best-colleges-rankings - PSU is now a top 10 public university. An average child would have an SAT of around 1500 and attend a CC or a college with open enrollment. Your topic should have been "Am I the Only One Thrilled to Have a Child in the 90-95th percentile?"

C'mon. Her kid has decent SATs, is unmotivated and is mostly interested in parties and drinking. Sounds like a perfect fit for Penn State to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ sounds like Penn State would be right up his alley.

It was during a Penn State tour.

They accepted him anyway.

*lowers head, walks backwards out of the thread and goes to pick up the silly little goose*

PSU stats

Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 530 / 630
SAT Math: 560 / 670
SAT Writing: 540 / 640

55% admit rate

would assume this to be higher for OOS and receiving merit aid

definitely not an "average child"

When will people stop throwing out numbers as if they're gospel? There are so many other factors that come into play.

An art portfolio could be one. Secondly, I didn't say they offered him merit aid. I said that many state unis did. I did not say Penn State was one.

He was still accepted into PSU OOS. http://news.psu.edu/story/286949/2013/09/10/rankings/penn-state-rises-2014-us-news-best-colleges-rankings - PSU is now a top 10 public university. An average child would have an SAT of around 1500 and attend a CC or a college with open enrollment. Your topic should have been "Am I the Only One Thrilled to Have a Child in the 90-95th percentile?"