<p>Absweetmarie, I think it is wonderful that your child took six years of voice lessons “because she likes to sing and she likes spending time with her voice teacher!” </p>
<p>That is exactly as it should be. Its the kids who take voice lessons for six years because their parents think they should that prompt the question “Are we parents too obsessed?”</p>
<p>One more thought about travel club sports teams. It took us all of the first season on a club team to figure this out years ago. It should have been obvious, but I think most of us wear blinders. Travel club teams exist for several reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the welfare of our particular child. The goals of most club teams include: having enough players to pay the operating costs of the team, and participating in tournaments that raise the club’s own stature in the sport so that they can attract better coaches and players to their club. The goal of paid coaches in club sports is to win. Those coaches who are in this as a career (even part time) are looking for “better” (more prestigous, better paying, full time) jobs as coaches. They add to their resumes by winning, particularly winning at prestigous tournaments. Our children are mostly cogs in the machine, and we parents need to be clear headed about why, exactly, our children are participating. </p>
<p>(Not a rant against club teams. My kids have played and still do play on club teams, but we try to view their participation with a clear eye.)</p>