2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Grace sees Michael as super smart and an overachiever – he accomplished everything at a very young age. She sees herself as a failure with no direction. Is this a fair assessment of her situation? What fuels her low opinion of herself? In your opinion, did her mother play a part in it?

I don't think she is a failure. She finished college and got her degree. It may not be exactly what she wanted to do with her life, but she has accomplished something. At this point she has to decide exactly what she wants to do...not what her mother wanted her to do.

Her mother did fuel her low self-esteem. Grace didn't understand why her mother didn't encourage her passion for music. Grace took it as her mother telling her she didn't have talent. Unfortunately, turning away from her passion made it harder to complete her college degree because she didn't want to be in the classes she took. It is a shame that her mother didn't explain her fears clearly. If Grace took music, business, or something else as a minor, she would have a backup plan.

Exactly my thoughts, Sharon! Her mother's request is the seed of doubt that was sown in Grace's mind. She believed her mother didn't consider her good enough to make it in music. It definitely fueled her decisions and negativity about her own abilities.

Isabel has accomplished the goal her mother had for her. Now, she has to figure out what she wants for her life. The trip to Scotland is supposed to be her time to do that. Becoming an internet sensation was not something she could have foreseen, and she has to deal with that.

It would have been better if Isabelle's mother had explained her fears rather than forcing Isabelle to make a promise. Yes this definitely fueled her low self-esteem.

I don't think Isabel's mother thought much of her music talent. She only knew how hard it was to make her way in the world with three daughters and wanted to be sure that Isabel has a career she could survive on. I can relate. I wanted my three girls to have degrees and jobs that would support them too.