To wonder how this is possible

[Girgio]

I’ll start with, I’m incredibly proud of my 3 children, I think they are all incredible, kind, smart people and wouldn’t change them for anything, this is more a curiosity thing.

I’ve been in a relationship with my current partner for a year and a half, he has one daughter, just turned 18 this month.

She is really like some sort of god, she plays tennis to a relatively high level (or I believe it’s a relatively high level anyway), this comes with training early in the mornings etc.
She has predicted all As for A-Level, has done two work experience opportunities with big firms rather than your normal work experience (HSBC and another I believe), one of which involved her dad getting a hotel in London with her for the week and to top it all off she has a part time job.
My DS and DD are similar ages and couldn’t fit in a fraction of what she does. She also still socialises and doesn’t seem to be overworked (in fact she is one of the most energetic people I know).

AIBU to wonder how it’s possible for a teen to do so much? Parenting? Luck? Magic?

So she plays a sport, does A Levels and has a part time job...is that not all fairly standard for someone that age? Both of my children are like this and it's all been their own choice, they are both driven and independent and want to do well at the things they do. No one has ever pushed them, they've never even needed a nudge.

Some people - or their parents - are just driven.

Just a thought, not a criticism or directly aiming at you, but 'pushing' can take many forms - for example normalising constantly being busy, normalising disappointment at anything less than top grades, normalising feeling guilt at resting etc etc.

We're not all driven by the same things though.

Wasbedeudetetdas · Today 15:08

MrsSkylerWhite · Today 15:02

Some people - or their parents - are just driven.

We're not all driven by the same things though”

Quite. Was thinking specifically of circumstances of OP’s.

I’m driven by my hobbies and interests. Manual labour, not so much 😁 Kids are the same. Husband loves his work.

Yes, I also noted that she’s an only child, so dp has more time to give her. It’s easier to ferry one child around on their activities than three, plus your finances are only split one-way.

To be a top tennis player, get good work experiences etc, does involve alot parental support (and some pushiness) although the child has to get that way inclined also.

As I said I've never pushed them, they are not constantly busy, they've always right throughout life been told just try their best and whatever the outcome it would be fine as long as they know they tried. They are both switched on so I totally get that they will have been the type of child who found things at school a bit easier etc. They rest whenever they want, especially given that they are young adults! But even when they were younger we've always balanced things by making sure there's also time for relaxing, that's just as important as other things. So this is not a criticism or anything, but not every child who does well has been pushed! I done well at school, went on to do well at college and on to a great career which I'm very proud of. Absolutely no one pushed me.

You seem to have missed all my points.