Learn an instrument

This photo is Creative Commons and by Sean Dreilinger

I can play guitar and drums - and that isn’t just a chance for me to boast on the internet but if I did want to boast I can also sing (a bit). I learnt both these instruments off my own back with support from my parents.

They didn’t push me into an instrument and I was eleven before I decided to take one up - but when I did decide they were there for me, put up with the noise (drums aren’t quiet) and got me lessons.

I’m really grateful for their support and encouragement but I’m not sure it was the right approach.

They took the approach (with almost everything) that it was all down to me - it was up to me to make my own decisions and mind up on everything and learn from my own mistakes.

I’m not sure I should do the same thing with my children. I would love to have learnt to play piano or violin (for bragging rights as a twentysomething in the media) but would never have learnt it without pressure.

So should I encourage my children to learn to play the piano and get them lessons and make them practice all the time so that - even if they hate it - they’re still able to play it and hope they thank me when they’re older.

Or should I let them decide from themselves, when they’re older, if they want to learn an instrument and support them when teh time finally comes?

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