Age 11, began Harvard University's Extension Program he graduated at 16.

[dfrecore]

I would have been one of those kids who could have pulled this off. I don't think I'm a genius, but, I'm pretty self-motivated and thanks to homeschooling learned early on how to teach myself.

NOW, my daughter is absolutely not motivated at all and is not a self-starter. She just turned 8, I homeschool her because our assigned public school is D rated. I recognize that I will be standing behind her pushing and motivating her throughout her education. She simply doesn't have it. She's bright, she is in second grade and already reading at a 5th grade level, but, she's reluctant and requires a lot of hand-holding and external motivation. I simply wouldn't have the energy to MAKE her do something like take college classes as an 11 year old. Anyone who thinks you can force a child to do this hasn't had the pleasure of educating their own little hellions.. lol

You are absolutely right!  I personally would have enjoyed some college courses when I was a kid - maybe high school aged.  My daughter in doing it kicking and screaming.  My son, who is very bright, and is slowly becoming self-motivated (boy, that can take time!!), and is on track to do some college courses even though he's in public high school.  But not a ton - just a few.

You just cannot MAKE kids do this stuff if they don't want to.  Unless you're going to sit on them until they do their work, and help them with it along the way, it's just not going to happen.  They either want it or they don't, and no amount of force or cajoling or bribery or any of that will get them there without the self motivation and desire.