Community Chat

[Oznell]

Here's a letter from little John Quincy Adams, *age 9* and future president, to his father--

What a creditable letter for a 9 year old to write, whether 18th century or not!  The eagerness to learn and to improve, the deference toward his father and desire to receive instruction from him as to how to better "proportion my Studies and my Play",  is such a testatment to his upbringing and general expectations.  Inspiring and adorable.

The only picture I could find of him as a child was this one of him at 16:

Great things were teeming around in that noggin. 

He began translating Virgil's Eclogues at age 10, and translated other ancient works from Aristotle, Plato, Horace, oh my!

A superb and precocious American figure.

[We rescue cats]

Amazing youngster who became an accomplished man. When I lived in Hartford we visited Quincy to see the Adams home.

[Sooner]

My unsolicited opinion only and not to a specific person or poster or relative of such:

I don't think we ask enough of kids today.  Too many sports, too little real education.

This public service announcement has now ended. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

Parents are ALWAYS the first and possilby the most important educators of children.

[Oznell]

@We rescue cats ,  oh, I envy you getting to see the home!  I bet it was a fascinating experience.

@Sooner and @FancyPhillyshopper ,  we are in total agreement!

[gidgetgh]

I grew up in Quincy. Our church was United First Parish Church (Unitarian). Both John and John Quincy Adams and their wives are buried in the Church. We used to go "visit" their tombs each Sunday before Sunday school.  There was a pew in the church reserved for them.

[stevieb]

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@Sooner wrote:

My unsolicited opinion only and not to a specific person or poster or relative of such:

I don't think we ask enough of kids today.  Too many sports, too little real education.

This public service announcement has now ended. 

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I agree we don't have high expectations, but I'd include parents and schools in that, regardless of how much money we throw at the latter. I don't think sports are the issue, I think accepting the lowest common denominator is.

[Mz iMac]

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@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

Parents are ALWAYS the first and possilby the most important educators of children.

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@FancyPhillyshopper  This was so true in the 20th century as well as the Baby Boomer generation.  Remember the 3 Rs?

21st century technology is now the most important education of childrens education.  AI is the new parent/educator currently.

Private education w/humans as educators is slowly fading away sadly.

[Oznell]

Wow, @gidgetgh ,  that must have been super interesting. And an old historic church like that, I'd love that!  I always seem to end up in modern-ish churches with blonde wood pews, and abstract stained glass, etc.....  but the ancient ones are so appealing.

[jubilant]

Wow, some deep thinking for a 9 yr. old. and quite cute in some of the things he says! I liked that he said, "Mama has a troublesome task to keep me steady.  I owned that I am ashamed of myself".  Quite an insight for a 9 yr. old.