Why can't we let kids be kids? -- Part 3 (by Elizabeth)
When the second child came along, I learned the hard way not to overschedule him. In fact, I learned not to schedule him at all. The child I had waited so long to enjoy, without having to cater to my career, was not interested in Mommy & Me classes.
We tried swimming lessons. He hated the noise of the pool.
We tried gymnastics. He liked gymnastics. He would use a piece of equipment until another child joined him. Then he’d move on to something else, until we ran out of gymnastic equipment. At which time we left.
We tried art classes. He hated getting his hands dirty.
We tried music activities. If anyone, anyone at all, was the least bit off key, he cried.
So we stayed home.
Until one day, our kindly pediatrician suggested music therapy. (He also suggested pet therapy, but who were we kidding?)
At age three, my son needed something to calm him. He also needed something to keep his fingers busy. Piano, the good doctor suggested. And so we began Suzuki piano lessons.
Until he was much older, my son attended piano lessons as his only activity outside of school. The practicing was often torture and I wondered what the hell I was doing, forcing him to play this instrument. But we stuck with it, and thanks to a great piano teacher, my son now enjoys playing (not practicing). Though he’ll never be a concert pianist, I recently heard him play Pachelbel's Canon D to soothe himself after a particularly difficult day. Yes! Success!
A few years ago, he added soccer to his list of accomplishments. I suggested he try basketball too, but he wisely said, “No mom. Piano and soccer are enough. I need some quiet time you know”
And he’s right.
What activities work best for your child? Do you schedule downtime or just let it evolve? I’d love to hear. Email at Elizabeth@awildride.net.
Comments
Our kids are still young (6, 4 and 19 mos.) so we try to keep it to one activity at a time. They're at school all day, and then our older one is in an after school program (where he swims and plays tennis), so one other thing is just enough -- for all of us.
Posted by: Alesia | November 9, 2007 7:51 AM