What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you\'re good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires fortitude on the part of the parents because the child will resist; things are always hardest at the beginning, which is where Western parents tend to give up. But if done properly, the Chinese strategy produces a virtuous circle. Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America. Once a child starts to excel at something—whether it\'s math, piano, pitching or ballet—he or she gets praise, admiration and satisfaction. This builds confidence and makes the once not-fun activity fun. This in turn makes it easier for the parent to get the child to work even more.

A meme about the difference between Chinese and Western mothers, where Chinese mothers force their children to keep at tasks until they master them.

\"My boy is having his problems being a serious student,\" I told Eddie.

\"Well, your studying is very important,\" Eddie said, while the boy sat smiling a smile that said: an old person his about to hand out some Wisdom. Could this please be over fast? \"You know, a jet plane burns its greatest energy taking off; but once it reaches its cruising altitude, it burs less fuel. Just like studying. If you\'re constantly taking off and landing, you\'re going to burn more fuel as opposed to taking off and staying up there and maintaining that altitude.\"

A few days later, I ran into my son in the house...

\"How\'s school?\" I said.

Without a word, he raised his arm and laid his palm down and flat like a plane that had leveled off. He suddenly knew it was the only way to fly.

The metaphor of a plane burning its most fuel when it takes off, and using less to maintain its soaring altitude works for studying, exercise, eating well, and a host of other good behaviors in life.