<p>I’m a soon-to-be college graduate who has a brother ten years my junior. He’s a great a kid, and I’m looking to find some books to provide a “well-rounded” education on life outlook, the arts, music, science, religion, philosophy, etc. When I was growing up, I never received the kind of guidance from my parents about soul-searching, finding and setting my goals, becoming aware of the world around me, and appreciating the various intellectual pursuits in life. I had to do all that on my own (I’d like to think I turned out okay). This is not to blame my parents - they were young, inexperienced immigrants in a new country when they raised me. </p>
<p>Now that my brother is edging closer to teen-hood, I think it’s time I help him and my parents out by making some suggestions. For example, my brother is a fairly talented young musician who plays the cello and piano (can you guess by now that we’re asian?), but in some ways lacks the appreciation of his gift (as many kids do when they are first starting out). How can I help him become more exposed to and more understanding of the beauty that is music? Or lately, my brother has been asking me about politics and religion (I’m a political science major and avowed atheist) - what are some books that will spark his own self-discovery in those fields? </p>
<p>I guess this is generally an open-ended question, but in terms of helping to raise and mentor a young mind, I thought perhaps the parents of ambitious, high-achieving, and well-adjusted children would have some advice. </p>
<p>Take him to sporting events. Go hiking together. Attend car shows. Listen. Answer questions simply. And keep in mind that his level of maturity may not be ready for all the life lessons you’ve learned. Good luck!</p>
<p>Idea-pursuit of musical talent can be through a focused lens of myopic drive for perfection or can also include a certain level of passion. To the latter, take him to live concerts and shows that enable him to see where he could use his gifts now and in the future. Include the music you enjoy so that he can see first hand why you like it.(We did this for our DD)</p>
<p>Cello and pianist? Cool. Make sure he gets exposed to all kinds of music - jazz (and in terms of jazz there’s really mellow stuff but also really heavy-hitting, big band stuff), classical, rock (cellists can play rock - no joke. Rasputina, anyone? Haha). I would go to concerts with him :). Concerts are awesome! </p>
<p>Otherwise, I would just say hang out with him…if he is asking for books about politics or religion pick some of your favorites and show them to him. If he is really interested, then he will look for others on his own to expand his opinion. Maybe take him to a radical book store; those always have awesome books on politics that spark discussion and controversy and interest.</p>
<p>Don’t try too hard mentoring him…the best mentors are those that live their OWN lives to the best of their ability, and follow their own passions…if your brother sees drive and passion and knowledge in you and sees you as a role model and friend, he will want these things for himself and will seek them out. Which is why just talking with him a lot and hanging out with him, learning about what he is interested in and supporting those things, will work the best…you don’t have to do too much, just keep an open relationship going.</p>