Friday, May 1, 2009

She did it...

Mikaela did it. She finally quit. Last Monday. I made her go to her last lesson and tell her teacher. She just sat there and wouldn't say anything. I kept mouthing to her..."tell her!" Mikaela started getting teary and her teacher asked what was wrong. I said, "she needs to talk to you." And her teacher looked at me and said, "is she quitting?" I shook my head yes and started crying. Mikaela started crying. We were all crying. Her teacher went through this really pretty song that is really easy for Mikaela, just in case she wants to sit down and play something. (Um...don't think that'll happen.) It is a pretty song, but it made me sad. Then, the mom for the next lesson came in and was chatting with me and I told her we quit today. She asked for my phone numbers and I started crying again and she was getting teary and said some uplifting things and then we hugged everyone and left. It was so emotional! I think it was because of 1) change - which we don't deal well with in our house, 2) PMS, 3) chaos and stress let down, 4) my feelings of parental failure and 5) PMS (did I already say that? It so deserves two!) I sometimes feel when my kids don't do something well that they might stand a better chance had they been born to different parents. For example, if Mikaela had been in a different family, she might be more successful at the piano, but because of our life, she wasn't given a fair chance. Does that make any sense? Anyone else know how this feels? Maybe I should stop talking!

So...it's over. Mikaela is happy. And...I no longer have to nag about piano practice. Maybe life is getting better!

3 comments:

Kathie said...

Are you kidding? You're a great mom! Take it from a piano teacher, you can only push so much and then you have to ask yourself "what is this going to accomplish?" She may even one day go back to playing and enjoy it, taking a break just may be the answer.

Larissa said...

Thanks Kathie. I hope so!

Homewiththekids said...

I'm sure that I will have to deal with the same dillema one day. I've deliberately delayed starting Emma with piano because I am afraid she won't like it. Piano lesson pressure can be very intense. A hard call to make. At a certain age these little ones need to make their own decisions, I think and you never know, she may want to come back to it and the wanting is what is most important. Your sis!