As musicians, educators, and parents ourselves, we know that these three things are equally important (music or otherwise):
- Consistently sticking to your routine even when it’s hard
- Building resilience in children
- Giving children the autonomy to make their own choices
That’s why we understand how hard it can be when your child throws their hands up in frustration and says “I want to quit!”
One crucial thing to keep in mind is this: Do not force a child to stay in a situation that makes them unhappy.
Bindu Subramaniam – Co-Founder, SaPa
If you are trying to work with your child while they navigate a rough patch, here are some tips from SaPa’s co-founders that might help:
1 – Tell them they can quit after a good day.
If your child has had a frustrating day of trying to master something they don’t know yet, they are more likely to feel the need to quit. Gently nudge them to wait until they have a good day in class; a day when they are sailing through the course material. That way, they are sure that the need to explore different paths is because they don’t have an interest in music anymore; and not because they feel like they are not good enough.
2 – Take a look at their practice routine.
Is it too long? Too repetitive? Too challenging? See if you can change their practice routine to be a little more enjoyable for them.
3 – Talk to their teacher
Are there some things you can change around to rekindle their love for music? It may be worth having a longer discussion with your child’s teacher about some things you can do differently.
In any journey you are undertaking, it is natural to hit some bumps along the way. It is important to help your child navigate these times with compassion, while giving them values of accountability and consistency. We hope you find these tips useful.
Have you navigated a situation with your child (or yourself)? How have you worked through it? We would love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.
If you’re interested in starting your child’s musical journey, check out our classes here.
