A Farewell

Today Brenna and I had a heart to heart about piano.  She started lessons this Summer.  She absolutely detests practicing.  Most times the mere mention of practicing brings on full on tantrums.  I learned my lesson once before with another child.  The battle sometimes is just not worth the fall out of distress between mother and child.  So here I am, a musician, giving the OK to stop music lessons.  I wanted all my children to take some form of music for the experience and to learn how to read music.  I've learned that each child is different and will find what inspires them. 

When I sat down with Brenna tonight.  I explained that learning how to play piano is like learning how to dance.  I asked, do you go to dance and practice your dance one time and then go home?  She rolled her eyes and said no mom we do it like 6 times.  I explained that if she practiced her piano song six times she would be as good at piano as she was at dance.  I could see the connection being made in her eyes.  And then she said to me, but I love to practice dance, not piano.  And that my friends is how you know what the right decision is.  I told her I did not want to fight everyday about practicing piano.  The fighting made both of us feel bad and sad.  I wanted her to do the things she loves.  Like dancing?  Yes, like dancing.  I asked if she would like to stop piano for now and maybe in a year or so if she felt like it she could try again.  A few tears fell down her face and she nodded yes.  After a long hug she ran out of the room and the tension in her little body left.  Relief.