Roller-skating and ice-skating are two different things - I found that out the hard way.
No matter how well you do, no matter how successful you are, they're always going to criticize you.
Never give up on your child. But also, you have to love your child.
Children need explanations and they deserve explanations.
What I do with my kids is I tell them I love them every day, but also I tell them the truth.