Is the "glory" of our own victory so important that it's worth the cost of another's own discovery on their own timeline...?
This is something that I have gradually learned as a parent. My kids are 11, 8, 5 & 2. It wasn't until my 2nd child became a toddler that I realized how much I had controlled my first child's discoveries! I have since tried my very best to back off and allow them to learn their lessons at their own pace as long they're not in any danger. Now I watch my children all trying to teach the baby and while I appreciate their enthusiasm, I often tell them, "Let him be. Let him explore on his own. He doesn't have to see things or experience things like anyone else." I guess, this ties into part two for me (I read them out of order) because I'm really hoping they will figure this out earlier in life than I did.