Does he have to stick with this to the end?

getalifemom
Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:37:02 +0000

My 10th grade daughter has decided “not to continue” Band next year. A friend of hers corrected her when she said “quit” reminding D that she completed the full year and was choosing not to commit to another year. We need to give our kids the same options we give ourselves - try things, learn, contribute, fulfill commitments, and move on when it’s time.

D is opening room in her schedule for continuing French, which she has enjoyed tremendously. She has other long-term activities. I’m not sure how this will play out with colleges, but we will let the chips fall where they may. I’m trying to keep in mind and project that college isn’t the ultimate goal, but rather one of many seasons leading, hopefully, to a full and satisfying life.

Incidentally, my 12th grade son did not continue Band after 11th grade to make room for AP’s in his schedule. He has quite a few other neat activities plus a part-time job in which he takes great pride. We’d always expected him to attend our state’s flagship university, but he discovered and fell in love with a very selective, far-away college the summer before 12th. The only adjustment he made to become competitive for admission was to add a third year of Spanish (which he detests), so it’s not to say that kids should never do things they don’t enjoy. He was happily accepted ED, though he’s asked me to start a thread asking what he should do about his college’s language requirement - suffer through more Spanish or start fresh and completely unknowledable with a different language?

Hope this helps.