Two hands and black notes

[StarCruiser]

Not too sure of that Rich, in fact it's not something I would wish on her, but in the unlikely event, it's something she would decide. Anyway, there's far to much competition to even imagine that.

We've just taken the view that it would be a shame to deny her opportunity. She started with the idea of learning the piano, so we arranged for lessons. I was ready for the interest to die as quickly as it came, but she proved us wrong. Then she came with the idea of guitar. Santa came with a guitar that year, so now the music school provides guitar lessons too.

We're both ready for both interests to fade, but so far she's keen to continue...

Totally Clive. I can see you're completely not being the pushy parents. And I get not wanting Ana pulled through the machine that is a talent show. She's got the ability, talent and clearly the determination to go with confidence in spades. I reckon she will carry on with the piano at least.

Thanks for sharing that with us. Ana is very lucky to have the tuition and support she is getting.

 

[clivehorridge]

Totally Clive. I can see you're completely not being the pushy parents. And I get not wanting Ana pulled through the machine that is a talent show. She's got the ability, talent and clearly the determination to go with confidence in spades. I reckon she will carry on with the piano at least.

Thanks for sharing that with us. Ana is very lucky to have the tuition and support she is getting.

I've adopted this approach because I felt under pressure when I was young, although when I look back, I think what I thought was parental pressure was more my subconscious fear of letting them down (if any of that makes any sense ).

Ana's not particularly talented (IMO) but she has an encouraging self motivation which a lot of kids either lack these days, or it's simply not allowed to develop. Too many parents sit watching tv in one room, the kids in another doing what they do, and little communication or interest shown in between. Ana has her free time, but we do encourage her to practice, which should not be misunderstood or misconceived as 'pressure'. She knows very well that no practice means no progress, so she's always willing to jump to it when we encourage practice. Normally, she's too busy doing something else, or having time-out watching cartoons after doing her homework.

That's another thing, bl**dy homework at 7 yrs old?? I ask you??

If she develops real talent, then good luck to her I say, it's something that won't be suppressed anyway, by its nature. Maybe she is lucky, but I think we're lucky to have her showing a real interest in something other than watching tv. We're proud of her anyway, aren't all parents?

 

[StarCruiser]

Understand that first para totally Clive. I did that too and I think your explanation applies here too.

Great that she is showing a good work ethic with it. And getting results.

It's the school performances that I think are brilliant for nurturing confidence.

 

[Shayne]

I appreciate your thoughts on confidence Rich but be warned it can be a hindrance as much as a help . I am credited with raising my younger brother and sister and i taught them the best i could , unfortunately i was a kid myself only a year older than my sis and 4 years older than my bro . I taught them there is nothing to fear but fear itself and i created monsters

Talent cannot be taught we can only give them the basics and its up to them what they do with it , we all learned to read and write but few of us could make a living as authors . I've met Anna and i'm sure she enjoys making mum and dad smile , what better incentive could there be to encourage her

 

[clivehorridge]

I've met Anna and i'm sure she enjoys making mum and dad smile , what better incentive could there be to encourage her

This is the hard part, knowing whether she's doing it for herself or for us, I wouldn't want her to end up like I was, too afraid to let us down.

Confidence? Well that's a double-edges sword. Too much and you end up a monster or in trouble (or both) and not enough, well life in general will just scare the daylights out of you. There's a balance somewhere. I remember having to do a reading to the whole school in assembly, and from the first word to the last, I hadn't a clue what I'd said. I was so terrified.

Now one of my duties is to make technical and contractual presentations in arbitration court proceedings, including examination and cross-examination, and I think it's fun

 

[Pat]

I love good music and it is good to see you giving Ana the opportunity.