Battle of wills

What is the essence of being a good parent, or a good teacher? In four words, I'd say: respecting the child's mind. And I stand by this, but it's too abstract if you don't already know what it means.

I came across an alternate formulation today on Montessori.edu which may be a little more accessible. I present it here in the form of an imperative:

Don't substitute your will for the child's.

That is sharp!