Raising children is a creative endeavor, an art rather than a science.
The ability to read becomes devalued when what one has learned to read adds nothing of importance to one's life.
The last if not the greatest of the human freedoms: to choose their own attitude in any given circumstance.
Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.
The fear of failure is so great, it is no wonder that the desire to do right by one's children has led to a whole library of books offering advice on how to raise them.