Thanks to a very patient piano teacher and some very cooperative fellow
piano parents, we have changed my kids' piano lesson schedule multiple
times this year, and we are only a few weeks into the semester.
Activities just keep coming up, and it's hard to say no to things that
could be enriching, educational (in an academic or in an extracurricular
way), or just plain fun. And I want my kids to be able to try them all.
I never considered myself one of those parents who had my kids running
from one activity to another. When they were little, in fact, I barely
let them do anything outside of school, because it was just too hard to
get everyone home at the end of the day. Consequently, there was no
violin until it was required in 4th grade, no Little League until age 8,
and a constant search for activities that were "of general
interest" (thanks, Cheaper By the Dozen) and/or within walking distance
of home, so that they would work for everyone.
Now that my kids are older, and mobility is less of an issue, it is hard
to say no to the plethora of interesting kid activities that our city
has to offer, which is why piano lessons get moved, and schedules are
negotiated weekly (often daily), and my kids are frequently up late
doing homework. They--and, therefore, we--are busy. Too busy? I don't
think so. They are making the most of their hours, doing what I call
"gulping life," participating in as many activities as we can juggle logistically and financially. At the end of the
day, they might be very tired, but I believe it is a good tired, a tired
born out of embracing all that life has to offer.
So, I will keep
arranging and rearranging schedules as necessary. We're gulping life.
And there can never be too much of that.
No comments:
Post a Comment