Cookie-Cutter Extracurriculars

twomules
Fri, 02 May 2008 16:52:08 +0000

Kelowna:

We faced this too. Turns out after being in class all day she needed to get outside and get physical (2 sport varsity). Her mental health really improved. If she can get the pent up energy out she focuses better at night with the homework.

She plays her instrument for herself - never wanted to be in an orchestra. She devotes her summers to her musical education. She probably isn’t as good as if she played year round but I doubt that she would have.
I found a couple of older women in the area who just play and take lessons when it works out. She took away the message that it is alright to keep music in her life and one doesn’t have to strive to be professional for the music to bring joy. I think she’ll keep going with it and has asked at the colleges if they have instructors in her instrument.

I don’t think there is a perfect solution. You’ll just have to figure out year by year what works emotionally and that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Sorry to not have a clear answer for you.