I normally don’t read Slate, but I was cooling my heels in a waiting room this morning and was struck by a letter to an advice column. The father of a bright and accomplished 18 year old (aren’t they all?) was concerned about his son’s desire to enlist in the Army, and wanted advice on how to dissuade him.

My first reaction was “what a jerk”. But then my much wiser wife asked me what my reaction would be if my daughter wanted to major in one of those highly practical arts or humanities or anything with “studies” in the title.

I’m a few years away from facing such a situation, but it did start me thinking. Better to support the kid despite the misgivings of my obviously superior judgement? Refuse to kick in for tuition to provide a foretaste of a life of penury? Recall my own hardheadedness at that age and simply hope for the best. Parenting is hard.