Encouraging a child’s talents

“I want to play the guitar.” My then-7-year-old son explained to me.

“I want to play the guitar and take lessons so I can be famous,” he added.

I told him that playing the guitar would not make him famous but it would allow him to learn how to read music. I went into my speech on how if we buy this guitar, he would have to practice and practice and it would take a lot of work and time.

“I want to do it.” He gleefully shouted.

That night, I thought about my son’s enthusiasm. After all, this was the child that stuck to most anything he started. He did seem to have a talent for music. He was the one the music teacher chose for the solo in the school play and he brought down the house.

Maybe this was the “chosen” one. The son who would forever be indebted to Mommy for getting him his first musical instrument. The instrument that gave him his start in what would become a world-class career. His name in lights, a maid for me … yes, this could be it.

Off we went to the music store looking at all the guitars that would suit a child his age. He kept looking at the expensive ones, and I kept checking out the cheap ones.

“I’ll take the simple model, just wood and strings,” I informed the sales person.

The first week, my son practiced and practiced and was showing signs of greatness. I could see the future in his eyes.

Week two, he got a splinter, so he said he couldn’t practice as much. I understood, true giftedness can not be rushed.

Week three, he was down to two days of practice. “Same splinter,” he assured me. I was starting to worry.

By week four, the splinter was gone and so was the guitar.

“Why aren’t you practicing?” I asked.

My son looked up from the book he was reading and responded, “Mom, I changed my mind. The guitar is not for me.” He flipped the book around and exclaimed: “I want to get a dirt bike!”

So much for famous.

Cassandraism: Children change their minds more than the wind changes directions.

Thanks for sharing.