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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Because my kids were not receptive to "pushing" and it backfired.  Maybe your kids will practice the instrument but, mine didn't when they didn't want to play anymore.  It was a huge waste of time and money.  So that's one reason.  Second I realized that my kids are not mini-mes and should have autonomy to chose what they want to do.  And I want a relationship with them when they are older.[/quote]
Yep.  I let my kid choose her interests.  My "pushing" is in the form of supporting her commitment to her choices (and not letting her quit something mid-class or mid-season.  She has to follow through, especially if we spent money on it or it's a team or group activity where others are counting on her).

I don't demand that she play a sport.  She has to be active in some way, but that could be organized sports, martial arts, running, dancing, hiking, whatever.  I don't demand that she play an instrument.  Her artistic side is expressed through drawing and creative writing, so that's what we encourage and support.

She has to do her homework.  I don't demand that she take the hardest class in everything.  She has to work on her weaker areas; it's not okay to say, "I'm bad at math" and leave it at that.  We encourage her to challenge herself in her areas of interest.  The best motivation is the innate sense of satisfaction that you get when you work hard at something, and don't quit when it gets hard, and see yourself improve or accomplish a goal -- that's the motivation that will carry her through life.  Not me pushing and nagging.

She has obligations around the house, and "I don't want to" is not a good reason not to fold laundry or pick up her room or empty the dishwasher.  Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to because those things need to be done.  [/quote]

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