It takes time

“I think there is a tendency for most of us to become too impatient. We are living in an age of jets, rockets, push buttons . . . but it still takes a cow nine months to have a calf, and it takes that calf at least two years to produce another. There is no substitute for time in our business, and I feel we must bear this in mind and not expect too much too soon.” — from a 1958 cattle magazine, of all places

There is no substitute for time, in raising cattle or raising children.

No matter how hard you push a child, it will still take a good two decades (and maybe three) before they get it all together — til body, intellect, and emotion find a balance which isn’t harmful.

Balance takes time, and it takes experience, lots of varied experiences.

I have a problem with organizations and groups which promote an “all or nothing” regiment to membership; that “be in my group and give me all your time” philosophy. In commanding a child’s life, they try to cram 10 years of learning into one year of time. Absenteeism is not permitted.

Some of today’s sports never end. There are all-week and weekend practice, then games, a post-season tournament. Just when you thought it was safe to plan a summer vacation, here comes summer sports camp for a week.

Sure, with that much practice, children do learn the skill and are very, very good, but often, there’s not enough emotional growth to balance the talent. No amount of practice will teach it. It must come with experience only time can provide.

Before I have every coach mad at me, it’s not just sports. It’s band or 4-H or academics or scouts or church.

Single-minded emphasis produces single-talented kids.

Balance takes varied experiences and experiences takes time; and there is no substitute for time.