My son started the 4th grade, and soon he will have the opportunity to try out extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, band, drama, etc. I want him to try them all. Not because I want to live vicariously through him since I took advantage of none of them growing up, however. Grade school is the best opportunity for children to discover what they’re good at, what they’re not good at, and what they will enjoy enough to work hard and excel at.

For instance, in school I learned how good I am at English and math. Life sciences such as biology, and organic chemistry, not so much. Without taking advantage of all those classes available to me, I never would have discovered any of it, and I wouldn’t have the focus I do now on continuing to improve my writing, and having a career where I get to work with numbers every day.

I want my son to live a life as joyful and fulfilling as I do. One way he can discover his gifts and limitations early on is to try as much as he can while those opportunities are readily available to him.

“Half of being smart is knowing what you’re dumb at.” — David Gerrold