Piano lessons...

I've always been of the opinion that my children would submit to music lessons. Music is like math, you need to learn it, love it, and use it. We have been blessed to be friends with a FABULOUS Suzuki instructor!

Can I say that piano lessons has been a lot like my experience as a mother. There is someone who is trying desperately to teach and enrich. Occasionally, these efforts are well received and everyone experiences joy. Unfortunately, most of the time there is complaining, resisting, whining, arguing, and therefore failure and frustration. My oldest daughter, M, has always hated learning things while being watched. She was self conscious very, very early. When we're practicing together she gets furious if I try, using a plethora of methods, to correct mistakes. This is one of our many struggles.

C has a pure yellow personality, like her mother. She lives like a honey bee fluttering from fun flower to fun flower. If it's not a fun flower we don't even go there! I was so old by the time I out grew this... seriously! Like, 22. My poor C! I worry she'll be the same way & life is very hard when you only linger on the fun flowers. My struggle with her is getting her to think piano is a fun flower.

Sometimes the trauma happens in the actual lesson, which is beyond humiliating for me. Sometimes C pouts if she doesn't get her way & will sit there, arms folded on the piano bench. A few weeks ago Mr. Dad took them to their lessons, well, they fought so much over who was going first (each volunteering the other) and such that he brought them straight home. Their punishment, an hour long imprisonment in their separate rooms.

We had an awesome rehearsal the other day. One awesome rehearsal for every several, several negative ones. I know I am doing things wrong. So, what does one do when she knows things need changing, but can't find what they need to be changed to? I want my mother!

Things I learned: I'll get back to you on this one.