Most of us grew up with the least parental supervision and the maximum dose of freedom, as our parents were fully engaged in their work. Remember work always came first to them.

When I think of it, we were really lucky to grow up under this loose supervision. In summer, we were free to chase butterflies or dragonflies, climbed up trees to explore bird nests. Not that we should, but we could. We made toys out of whatever trash we could get our hands on. Had to be creative to amuse ourselves.

Our children’s generation seems to be mostly over-supervised, especially in China, for the purpose of bringing up a really accomplished person. For some parents, it has become a second full-time job to supervise the children’s study and other activities. Literally, a parent has no other life than supervising the child’s study.

Thus, children are left less and less space to grow, observe, imagine and dream in the fertile land of their minds, etc. To be sure, some children of this generation are really highly accomplished, like an 11-year-old girl that I know of, but the cost is too dear in the long run.

Of two parental control, which is better: under-supervision or over-supervision? Not an easy question. It depends on many factors. A child might need to be over-supervised if he/she is addicted to anything other than study. From my personal experience, I like Patrick Henry’s either-or liberty-death option.

By the way, today is Father’s Day. My son called home to say Happy Father’s Day and my daughter got a card for her dad. Happily ended a day.

The end for all three parts. I will make sure my children read these three postings. I know my daughter has read them and is in full agreement with me. So nice to know.