Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. Albert Einstein
Thinking outside the box is an important skill to cultivate if, indeed, it is possible to cultivate it. I don't know how much it can be encouraged, if it isn't the normal way one looks at life at least some of the time.
But out-of-the-box thinking can find solutions that otherwise don't present themselves.
Albert Einstein was much like Thomas Edison, in that he did not do well in school in his early years. He didn't learn to read until he was somewheres around 9. I imagine he would have been difficult to parent, if only because of the worries associated with this inability to read, let alone once he started showing his mathematical propensities. His life story is quite interesting to read, although it has been many years since I read a biography about him.
When a child thinks differently than his peers, a kind of out-of-the-box thinking it itself, the parent has to think outside the box too in order to channel the child's spirit, not crush it. It can take some creative thinking at times to find ways to be an influence or a shape-er.
I think it is important to look out from the child's eyes, then try to give them the most opportunities to blossom.
There's another quote that I like. I don't know who wrote it.
A determined baby can bring up his mother quite nicely.
It's especially important, I believe, to be open to new thoughts concerning raising internationally adopted (IA) transracial (TR) children. We may have to set aside a lot of preconceived ideas in order to hear what they have to say, even if they don't use words.
Karin
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