Piano vs Basketball

compmom
Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:24:57 +0000

Not to beat a dead horse…but your son is in middle school. I fervently believe that kids in middle school need to sleep and eat, and everything else can wait! Read up on the developmental stage he is in: he is growing, and his brain is changing, and his hormones are raging at times too. Autonomy is important at this stage as well: they like to pretend they have no parents : )

It is healthy to try all kinds of things. If you are worried about college (prematurely), middle school isn’t considered in any way, so relax and let him develop his own inner motivations that will serve him well. External motivators like grades, music competitions, and parental approval can backfire over time.

The one thing I will say it that a young person should not leave an activity if leaving affects others or if a real commitment was made. Otherwise, as everyone has said, encourage him to explore interests, multiple ones and serially if that is what he needs.

Please try not to mention college until junior year of high school!! College admissions is another external motivator that can be quite harmful honestly, if focused on too early or too intensely. Just let him enjoy school, friends and activities as they evolve. Good luck!