I come from a family of three. I am the oldest, my brother is two years younger than me and my sister is four years younger than me. My parents always encouraged us to try a variety of activities and stick with the things we were most interested in.
We all participated in choir through middle school, but I continued through college. Each of us was encouraged to try at least one year of band and my siblings quit after their year and I continued through college. We all were "forced" to take at least three years of piano lessons. Again, I continued through college and eventually became a music teacher. (and despite the fact they were "forced" my brother still plays his recital piece "Chariots of Fire" on occasion and my sister will pick out songs on the piano now and then so it couldn't have been that bad )
My sister and I both took dance for several years although mine were 11 in a row and she started and stopped. She is the one who was on danceline in high school and is now an assistant dance teacher in her "spare" time. My sister and I also did a lot of theater (mostly during the summers).
My brother played basketball beginning in elementary school and through his freshman year of college. My parents NEVER missed a game, even college when he mostly warmed the bench. My sister and I did some sports, but not as much as my brother. In the summer we all did t-ball/baseball/softball through middle school or junior high.
I always felt that if there was something out there my siblings or I really wanted to try when we were growing up my parents would make the extra effort to help us do it. Whether it was driving to rehearsals or finding the money for fees or lessons they made sure we were able to have the opportunity to try a variety of activities. They did hold true to the idea that we needed to finish was we started/committed to. Whether it was a sports season or a year of lessons we were never allowed to quit in the middle of something.
I also never felt pressured into doing activities that I wasn't interested in. I know sometimes parents try to relive their "glory days" through their kids or help their kids be successful in something they always wanted to do regardless of how the kid feels about it. My parents never did anything like that. I know my dad is definitely not a big fan of choral music, but he came to all my concerts from elementary school through college to support me in an activity I enjoyed. He probably would have enjoyed watching me play in a basketball game a lot more, but he never complained, always supported the interests I chose and never pressured me to be more interested in sports than just the occasional backyard football game or game of H-O-R-S-E on the basketball court.
I guess, now that I think of it, we were never in more than two activities outside of the school day at a time. For example, I was in band and choir in school and took dance and piano after school. Then in the summer I did t-ball/softball or theater. That way we still had time at home to do family things and school work and they weren't running from one thing to the next every day of the week.
I really appreciate what my parents did for us and I know I will make sure to let my kids participate in a variety of activities as well. I hope that helps!
Kate
We all participated in choir through middle school, but I continued through college. Each of us was encouraged to try at least one year of band and my siblings quit after their year and I continued through college. We all were "forced" to take at least three years of piano lessons. Again, I continued through college and eventually became a music teacher. (and despite the fact they were "forced" my brother still plays his recital piece "Chariots of Fire" on occasion and my sister will pick out songs on the piano now and then so it couldn't have been that bad )
My sister and I both took dance for several years although mine were 11 in a row and she started and stopped. She is the one who was on danceline in high school and is now an assistant dance teacher in her "spare" time. My sister and I also did a lot of theater (mostly during the summers).
My brother played basketball beginning in elementary school and through his freshman year of college. My parents NEVER missed a game, even college when he mostly warmed the bench. My sister and I did some sports, but not as much as my brother. In the summer we all did t-ball/baseball/softball through middle school or junior high.
I always felt that if there was something out there my siblings or I really wanted to try when we were growing up my parents would make the extra effort to help us do it. Whether it was driving to rehearsals or finding the money for fees or lessons they made sure we were able to have the opportunity to try a variety of activities. They did hold true to the idea that we needed to finish was we started/committed to. Whether it was a sports season or a year of lessons we were never allowed to quit in the middle of something.
I also never felt pressured into doing activities that I wasn't interested in. I know sometimes parents try to relive their "glory days" through their kids or help their kids be successful in something they always wanted to do regardless of how the kid feels about it. My parents never did anything like that. I know my dad is definitely not a big fan of choral music, but he came to all my concerts from elementary school through college to support me in an activity I enjoyed. He probably would have enjoyed watching me play in a basketball game a lot more, but he never complained, always supported the interests I chose and never pressured me to be more interested in sports than just the occasional backyard football game or game of H-O-R-S-E on the basketball court.
I guess, now that I think of it, we were never in more than two activities outside of the school day at a time. For example, I was in band and choir in school and took dance and piano after school. Then in the summer I did t-ball/softball or theater. That way we still had time at home to do family things and school work and they weren't running from one thing to the next every day of the week.
I really appreciate what my parents did for us and I know I will make sure to let my kids participate in a variety of activities as well. I hope that helps!
Kate
This was fun to read! They never missed a dance performance or competition of mine either. They were and still are the most supportive parents. And like you said- I'm sure it would've been more enjoyable for Dad to watch me play basketball or a sport he played but he was a great sport with dance. He got so good at knowing how teams were scored he could rank the teams at competitions (and be right) before the places were even announced. Our parents were definitely great at letting us explore our interests. I don't know how many different things I tried....piano, clarinet, theater, sign language, basketball, softball, gymnastics, diving, golf, track, even pole vaulting, and they never made me feel like there was something I couldn't attempt. Always my #1 fans there to cheer me on. And yes, always had to finish out the season! They definitely instilled the value of commitment in me because I have a hard time quitting anything.
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