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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My DC is 8 and takes lessons 1x a week and also takes music theory 1x a week and also performance class 1x per month. They spend about 9 hours a week on music.

The way I think about it is 1. I like them be the driver of goals and intentions- I approach it as teaching them a lifelong skill that they can use not only as an “activity “ now but for refuge and mental health when they are older and 2. I think about the amount of hours per week of time investment; my DC does not have any interest in sports. I cannot make them want to play them. I compare the amount of time they spend on music a week and compare it to kids playing sports at their age. Kids playing travel sports or even rec sports spend maybe an 1-2 hours average a day practicing (including traveling time to and from games). Many kids in multiple sports do this or more. And travel teams definitely require more time commitment. My DC spends way less time than their peers engaged in “required” music commitments.

People don’t even bat an eye when parents say they have their kids doing hours and hours of sports a week but when you say your kid does this much music people raise their eyes. I assume it’s because people assume the parent is “making” their child do this. However, my DC lives for their music classes and relationships. They thrive being engaged in structured activities and still have plenty of time for play dates, school events/activities, and family time.

It’s about knowing your child, what drives them, and setting an intention for the process. Do not make it about the outcome, make it about the journey. [/quote]

I think that kind of 9 hours/week in music is different and I think I might feel more comfortable with that.  With music theory and group class, you have a music community and your child can build connections and make friends in those classes. With mine, it’s individual lessons and private practice. That’s a whole lot of solo time. With sports at least there is more team time and social interaction. But even then, spending 9 hours a week on a sport seems like a lot to me for an 8 year old. [/quote]

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