Homeschooling parent, Sarah, reminds of a very important point when it comes to parenting:

You can't play games with readiness. That's been my one of my Most Important Parenting Lessons (and one which I, apparently, need to learn over and over again). Kids are, or are not, ready.

...

Readiness simply comes of its own accord. You can lay the foundation, but no game, no trick, no bribe can make an unready child ready. Those things are approaches or motivators; they don't flip the switch inside their brain, or body, or heart. They'll be ready when they're ready. And because we're impatient, or we believe we know better, or that we're more powerful/ influential than we are, we struggle to learn this lesson. But go ahead and learn it. You're ready.

This is another one of those key ideas in parenting that I always need reminding of and is also related to compassion and respect. Thankfully, Robin does a good job of reminding me. If you let your child lead, s/he will always be more comfortable with whatever it is that s/he is beginning to learn to do or undo. If *you* lead, there is always the possibility of unseen consequences or repurcussions. The above is also quite true with regard to readiness in adults.