What age did your kids find their "thing"?

[Anonymous]

My kids are 13 and 16. I would say that my older kid's thing is pretty definitely music. Looking back, I could see his love of music from when he was little, although it wasn't clear it was something he loved more than other things until middle school aged, and it wasn't until this summer that he really settled on a specific kind of music.

My younger kid, plays a sport very intensely, that he started in 5th grade, but he still talks about maybe doing a different sport next year. He also has a few art forms he really likes, but jumps around between them. I wouldn't say he has found his thing yet, but he's getting there.

So, I'm going to say that it's a process that mostly happens in middle school, with some bleeding over into 5th and 9th grades.

[Anonymous]

For DS he discovered his love of soccer in Kindergarten and has stuck with it through high school varsity and travel. But he's also done music and other sports. It also turns out that school is his thing. He likes to learn and is a quick study. So it doesn't need to be a sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid started rec soccer in first grade.

That group became the foundation for her friendships and social circles. The team stayed pretty consistent throughout elementary school. They also got pretty good! It was fun to move up to the next level together at the end of elementary.

I did notice that others who tried to join the team later in elementary often quit because it was hard to catch up. Nobody was mean, but I think the new kids quickly realized they couldn’t keep up and didn’t enjoy it. I’ve heard of this happening in baseball too. So, there is a really big element of learning skills, which as a non-athletic person, I was surprised to see at such young ages.

I'm slightly bummed out about this as a non sports person. I feel pressure to have DS sign up for so many sports, just in case its something he wants to pursue. He's done tennis, football, soccer, and is starting basketball. I would rather he relax and/or pursue cool academic stuff like science labs or kids robotics or something, which I think he would love. But there isn't enough time in the day for both. I'm shocked at age 5 that sports require 2-3 hours a week.

I wouldn't worry about it PP, a lot of it depends on whether the kid is athletic and they can pickup pretty quickly. My kid is like that trying out a new sport last year in 5th grade and he played with kids who have been playing since pre-school and he was middle of the pack by the end of the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid basically wanted to try something new every year. Nothing has “stuck” and she is a sixth grader. It is fine!! She’s a great kid that is currently trying Battle of the Books and Model UN. She likes both a lot, but next year she could easily say “meh, I want to try something else.” And we will be happy to let her try new stuff.

I can easily see her college application essay being something like “I’m one of the rare kids that is a generalist.” And she will be fine.

6 grade! I have a 1st grader and I'm hoping he will find a couple things he'll want to stick with SOON. Coordinating new things (schedules, driving around, just getting acquainted with new activities and new parents, etc.) is kind of tough for this introvert!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid basically wanted to try something new every year. Nothing has “stuck” and she is a sixth grader. It is fine!! She’s a great kid that is currently trying Battle of the Books and Model UN. She likes both a lot, but next year she could easily say “meh, I want to try something else.” And we will be happy to let her try new stuff.

I can easily see her college application essay being something like “I’m one of the rare kids that is a generalist.” And she will be fine.

I have one kid that tries everything and quits when it gets to the point where more studying or practicing kicks in.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

We’ve tried many things but one consistent thing 4th grade DS obsesses about is making art and storytelling.

The other kid is in 2nd grade and seems most interested in food/cooking.

Will be interesting to see how this develops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve tried many things but one consistent thing 4th grade DS obsesses about is making art and storytelling.

The other kid is in 2nd grade and seems most interested in food/cooking.

Will be interesting to see how this develops.

I’m holding my breath

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve tried many things but one consistent thing 4th grade DS obsesses about is making art and storytelling.

The other kid is in 2nd grade and seems most interested in food/cooking.

Will be interesting to see how this develops.

I’m holding my breath

Me too. I love watching them grow.

[Anonymous]

I thought you meant find their "thing"....you know, that thing? Mine found his when he was about six months old and he hasn't stopped playing with it since.

[Anonymous]

Probably not until high school. My 2nd grader is athletic and loves every sport she tries, but we try to limit her to one a season - who knows what she'll end up doing?

[Anonymous]

Ain’t no thang but a chicken wing

[Anonymous]

5th/6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Middle school

And there is no need to force them to try every sport under the sun or start an instrument at age 6. Do what’s reasonable, and they will be exposed to many things via school (instruments, plays, different sports). This isn’t to say do nothing… but if your kid is having fun playing soccer, let them play it both fall and spring and don’t worry they aren’t formally doing another sport. There is value to enjoying the now.

[Anonymous]

In 9th grade he found his thing and loves it when he had never done or been interested in anything else.