Before we had kids, I used to (jokingly) say that I was planning on living vicariously through my children. I was planning on having a family band (think The Corrs or Hanson – NOT Jackson 5). I planned what instruments they were going to play, and more importantly, how they would keep in the lap of luxury which I so richly deserved.
Of course once I had children, I learnt that I have very little control over their skills, personalities, or willingness to cooperate with my grand schemes (I can’t really send them to the corner when they are on stage).
My children are introverts (as are both CB and I), and the thought of performing on stage fills the girls with dread. Hannah freezes whenever she thinks she might be the center of attention. If I want to live in the lap of luxury, I may need to rethink my strategy.
The one part of this plan which is coming along nicely, is that Hannah has started piano lessons. She has wanted lessons for a while now, but I had put them off. I had promised her that when she was in second grade she could start, so she reminded me at the start of the year, that this was *the* year.
Starting a new school, in a whole new area, it took me a term to actually find a piano teacher – which also gave Hannah a term to settle into her new school.
Extra curricular activities, like everything else around here, requires commitment because of the travelling times involved. So every Wednesday, Hannah and I jump in the car for the drive to town (luckily only 15 minutes) for her lesson.
Hannah is loving it. I knew she would. She takes it very seriously and enjoys doing the homework and the practice. I love to play the piano, and am enjoying living a little bit vicariously through her. On the drive to and from the lesson we get to chat uninterrupted by her siblings.
I may not get my family band, but I am glad that she is enjoying learning the piano.
You probably need to have more kids! I think Hansons parents had like seven, and it was only the first three that were famous. Stack the odds and you'll get your band! 😉
It's so nice to have that one-on-one time with a child when you have more than one. I always wanted to learn the piano, and we recently bought an old one which is sitting there waiting to be tuned. My 14 yo has had lessons on and off over the years but can also play by ear – it's such a pleasure listening to your child create music. (Not sure I can vouch for instruments like drums and violin though.)
How lovely that she has found something she loves. More special is that time together for just the two of you, treasure that time Jo.
As it's been proven, many of the world's finest and most talented artists and musicians are introverts. You may not get your band but you might find yourself with a gifted pianist.
What a beautiful post! My eldest daughter has just started piano lessons too and I'm surprised at how much she enjoys it.
When Emma asked me if she could have singing lessons when she was about 8 I thought okay, this will last a term or two and then that will be all. Now as a 16yo she is an accomplished singer and performer on stage who does not even bat an eyelash in front of hundreds of people! Anyone who knows Emma knows that she is a very quiet girl, but once on stage she becomes someone else – it's quite amazing! So my advice is to keep up the piano lessons and anything else the kids ask for because you never know what changes it will have on them! PS – I drive 500km each fortnight for her hour long singing lesson! What we do for our kids?!!