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Vicarious Living

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.

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Comments

  1. Jess@Diary of a SAHM says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:53 am

    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! 😉

    Reply
  2. The Kids Are All Right says

    May 26, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    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.)

    Reply
  3. Nat - Muddy Farmwife says

    May 26, 2012 at 11:04 am

    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.

    Reply
  4. Grace says

    May 25, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. SportyMummy says

    May 25, 2012 at 12:33 am

    What a beautiful post! My eldest daughter has just started piano lessons too and I'm surprised at how much she enjoys it.

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    May 25, 2012 at 12:18 am

    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?!!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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Team work makes the dream work. We were asked rec Team work makes the dream work. 
We were asked recently whether we “make” our kids work on the farm. The answer is “of course not”. Having said that, all three love to help out whenever they can. They all work hard because they want to; because they take pride in working hard and contributing in a meaningful way to our family life; because they love living on our farm and don’t remember life before we moved here. Whether it be planting trees or doing sheep work or feeding animals, they all want to be involved. As a parent, nothing is better than watching them grow in skill and confidence as they work along side you. We’re so glad that we get to spend time with our three, working together.
We’ve had an unexpected addition to the family ☘️🐑. She is a lot easier to look after than the other family members but she does try to escape her yard and head butt people. Poddy lambs are super cute but they tend to think they are a human. Clover the lamb is sure that Meg is her mum. Can’t think why… 🤔🤣
The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…
A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the scho A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the school holidays. We’ve been busy spending time with friends and family, harvesting the last of the summer produce, as well as a short escape to explore the big smoke. After the craziness of last term it was the break we all needed. It’s back to school for me tomorrow, and the kids are back on Wednesday. Shearing starts soon and so it’s all systems go over the next few weeks.
Covid has made some late changes to our weekend pl Covid has made some late changes to our weekend plans so we are embracing the unexpected and doing not much at home. Plenty of time for hanging out on the dam and enjoy the perfect weather.

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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