Expecting Their Best but Not Demanding Perfection

What a dilemma for a parent!

I really struggle sometimes on knowing how to encourage my children to give 100% when they are doing something BUT not demand perfection. I think there is a big difference in a child who studies for a spelling test, does all the required work ahead of time (writing their words, writing sentences using their words, etc) and then still gets a B or even a lower A. As a parent, I know they have tried and done their best. If a child doesn't study until the morning of the test or put forth effort to learn a word they are struggling with, then I do not think they are giving their 100%.

Recently, I have really struggled with trying to balance these ideas. My oldest has a tendency to be a perfectionist in most areas. He will avoid trying something if he thinks he may not master it right away. From as young as a toddler, if he pronounced a word and we tried to correct his pronunciation, he would not repeat it. He would simply come up with a synonym in its place! I have had to really coax him into trying new things and participating in events where he was uncomfortable.

Lately, I have encountered more and more situations (at school and otherwise) where I feel I have to counter what he is hearing and seeing. It is so frustrating when you think the influences around your children are positive ones, only to find out some of them, sadly, are contradicting the guidance and values you have instilled in them. Without being specific, I just ask if you have encountered similar circumstances. How did you handle this? How have you encouraged your children to give their best, without requiring perfection?

I am reminded of the verse Noah is currently memorizing for school - "Whatever you do, do it as if doing it for the Lord and not for men!" Colossians 3:23

Obviously, if the Lord required perfection, none of us would be acceptable!