If your kid wants to bring instrument and math book on vacation
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Anonymous
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So DC wants to bring instrument + sheet music (to practice and get “really really good at it”), and math workbook (because “math is fun”) on a trip, along with chapter books for reading AND a craft. Yes I do sometimes wonder about ADHD…
Do you let them take “work” on long trips, or encourage them to just soak up vacation and family time? DH says it’s fine, but I wonder if I need to enforce a break. |
Anonymous
| If it's a car trip, and space isn't an issue, then sure. Why not? We bring the kids' instruments and I've started bringing my instrument along, because playing it is good for my mental health as well as progress. |
Anonymous
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I mean, I would ask what instrument and where you are staying. My kid is not bringing his double bass, or his piano. If you're staying in a hotel, don't bring the drum kit.
But otherwise, I think that vacation is for doing things that you love, and if what he loves is violin or flute (or other small not terribly loud instrument) and math, then he should be able to do them on vacation. |
Anonymous
| Any anxiety there? Like "I have to practice or something bad will happen"? "If I don't do 20 math problems, I'll fail...". Any history of OCD? |
Anonymous
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He should get to do the things that make him happy. Music and math make him happy. Unless he plays bagpipes or something else that's as loud, let him have the things he loves.
I don't see anything strange about this. |
Anonymous
| I'd let my kid do this. Left to her own devices, she'll always end up doing math homework she's made up for herself. I don't push it, but I don't discourage it either. |
Anonymous
| Sure. I’d be thrilled they have some plans to occupy themself beyond looking at a screen |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a great kid. How is this bad? |
Anonymous
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Absolutely I would allow this. I have a kid who gets really into doing "summer bridge" activities in the summer and will set goals for working on certain lessons or memorizing math facts. We do not influence this at all.
She also decided at the beginning of the summer she wanted to read 100 books and learn a new vocab word every day. Why not. It is fun to her and we've told her that when it's not fun to stop -- we are supportive of her goals but if we ever saw her freaking out that she hadn't done her math for the day or freaking out that she's only at 85 book by the time school starts we'd intervene. But she has a good attitude about it and she just genuinely really like schoolwork. |
Anonymous
Totally agree. Why is math different from bringing books to read, those brain puzzle books, sudoku, etc.? |
Anonymous
This was me! I still remember a great "word a day" book I had. I'm still kind of a dork (and a lawyer) but pretty functional in life! |
Anonymous
| I’d probably say no to the instrument because it would be too noisy and bulky, and expensive to replace. Not sure why you’d interfere with any of the other stuff. Just tell her she has to carry it all. |
Anonymous
| Does the kid plan to participate in any vacation activities or just do all these things as if they were at home? |
Anonymous
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I’d give some thought about the instrument? How long will you be gone and do you really think they will play? It might be one of those things that seems like a good idea but then sits in the corner of an Airbnb bedroom.
If you are gone less than 2 weeks, I don’t think it is worth the risk of damaging or losing it on vacation to take it with |
Anonymous
| No, they need a break. This is like DH or DW bringing work along. They need help breaking the cycle. Mental illness is highly prevalent these days; teach them more relaxing activities. |