Isn't funny how advice is easy to give out when people ask for it. I am a pro at giving advice to people. I always know exactly what is the best thing to do and exactly how it should be done.
Take the example that happened yesterday....My sister is trying to help a girl in their ward with an online math course so she can graduate from high school. When the girl showed up on Saturday she was in an awful mood. She just stared at the screen and did not try to do the work at all. After about 40 minutes Pauline decided something needed to change! She sat at the computer and went through every step with the girl. You moms know the routine. "What is the answer to this" "I don't know" "It is 5, just write it down!" "How about this problem, do you know how to do this?" "no" "yes you do" "the answer is 7, write it down"
Pauline was so frustrated. What do you do? How much do you help. What is the best way to teach her what she needs to know for the test. I was full of great advice of the right way to do this.
Fast forward a couple of hours.....Sam is taking a math class at the college. He signed up for a lecture class but this teacher uses an on-line text book and won't help you unless you email her. "We" are leaving on vacation on Friday morning and "we" want to get all the math done before we leave so "we" don't have to worry about it while we are gone.
Sam goes down to start the math. He gets frustrated that the teacher has not taught them what they need to know. The computer program is so hard to type your answers into. I go downstairs to see what is going on.
For those of you that know me, I consider myself a math nerd. I love to do math and especially like a good factoring problem. (sick I know!) Boy this math is really harder than I thought. What happens....Do I take the advice that I was giving to Pauline. Of course not! "The answer is 5, Write it down!" Well it did not turn out too well. "We" got a 57 on the test! Do I calm down and follow my own advice now. No, of course not!
Well to make a long story a little shorter...I stayed up until 1:00 trying to do Sam's math and still did not take my own advice. The good news is that "we" decided to drop the class and take it in the summer. That means no math on the trip and only relaxation. Why is it so easy to see what needs to be done in other people's lives and so hard to see it in your own. Sorry Pauline for doubting you tutoring abilities, and sorry Sam for not taking your advice to drop the class a while ago when you learned it would not work for you.
If any of you need advice. Just give me a call. I am sure I will have a great answer to your problem.
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