5 ms·

I did EXACTLY that. My rule was 1 instrument and 1 sport and couldn't be play cause that he'll do for free. We started when he was 5 and he's 7 now. So far thi

I did EXACTLY that. My rule was 1 instrument and 1 sport and couldn't be play cause that he'll do for free. We started when he was 5 and he's 7 now. So far things have worked out, highs and lows abound. Stick to it, it's worth it.

xmprt 4y ago
What do you mean by "couldn't be play"? I feel like the best way to learn/improve at something is by making it fun. Often times different people find different things fun so if I'm able to have fun doing something that others find to be a chore then I have a natural competitive advantage.
- luckydata 4y ago
  he's got plenty of playtime, but that's not gonna teach him any work ethics. I don't need to MAKE him play xbox for 5 hours during the weekend, he's perfectly capable of doing that on his own.
  - gwd 4y ago
    We'll see what happens when we get there, but I think to me the difference is how much training there is. If he's spending 5 hours just clicking through an RPG where his character gains skills but he doesn't, then yeah, that doesn't count. If he's spending 5 hours doing "micro" exercises for StarCraft 2, playing on the ladder then analyzing his losses / wins, etc -- i.e., if he's actually investing in a skill that takes several years to master -- then that would count for me. Basically, anything you can hire someone to coach you on. Not sure my wife would agree with that -- we'll see what happens when we get there. :-) After all, I mostly enjoy my work; if I didn't have a job I'd still be doing a lot of programming. As you say, it's more about gaining discipline, so you can harness that energy into something worthwhile.
jimmyjazz14 4y ago
No offense but I'm glad my parents were not like you sounds like a lot of pressure to have hobbies your kids don't enjoy.
- luckydata 4y ago
  Those are not hobbies, they are part of his "job". I'm not taking offense, but I'm glad my parents gave me some discipline and I wish they did more of that.
  - jimmyjazz14 4y ago
    ah okay, well I certainly wouldn't criticize others parenting decisions I just know that for me that wouldn't have worked very well as a kid. My parents just made me work and do chores and music was something I did for fun away from doing my "job".
- tomtheelder 4y ago
  My parents basically had the same rule, and I couldn't be more grateful. Helped me cultivate focus, dedication, and work ethic in a way that I never would have otherwise, given how easy school was. On top of that I still get huge enjoyment out of soccer and guitar, and I see many of my peers experiencing regret that they did not take those sorts of hobby type pursuits more seriously as a kid.
  - jimmyjazz14 4y ago
    My parents encouraged me to have hobbies which I appreciate but they did not force me to play an instrument.
tzs 4y ago
What if they start to enjoy the instrument or the sport to the point that practicing/training/playing becomes play for them?

xmprt 4y ago

What do you mean by "couldn't be play"? I feel like the best way to learn/improve at something is by making it fun. Often times different people find different things fun so if I'm able to have fun doing something that others find to be a chore then I have a natural competitive advantage.

luckydata 4y ago
he's got plenty of playtime, but that's not gonna teach him any work ethics. I don't need to MAKE him play xbox for 5 hours during the weekend, he's perfectly capable of doing that on his own.
- gwd 4y ago
  We'll see what happens when we get there, but I think to me the difference is how much training there is. If he's spending 5 hours just clicking through an RPG where his character gains skills but he doesn't, then yeah, that doesn't count. If he's spending 5 hours doing "micro" exercises for StarCraft 2, playing on the ladder then analyzing his losses / wins, etc -- i.e., if he's actually investing in a skill that takes several years to master -- then that would count for me. Basically, anything you can hire someone to coach you on. Not sure my wife would agree with that -- we'll see what happens when we get there. :-) After all, I mostly enjoy my work; if I didn't have a job I'd still be doing a lot of programming. As you say, it's more about gaining discipline, so you can harness that energy into something worthwhile.

jimmyjazz14 4y ago

No offense but I'm glad my parents were not like you sounds like a lot of pressure to have hobbies your kids don't enjoy.

luckydata 4y ago
Those are not hobbies, they are part of his "job". I'm not taking offense, but I'm glad my parents gave me some discipline and I wish they did more of that.
- jimmyjazz14 4y ago
  ah okay, well I certainly wouldn't criticize others parenting decisions I just know that for me that wouldn't have worked very well as a kid. My parents just made me work and do chores and music was something I did for fun away from doing my "job".
tomtheelder 4y ago
My parents basically had the same rule, and I couldn't be more grateful. Helped me cultivate focus, dedication, and work ethic in a way that I never would have otherwise, given how easy school was. On top of that I still get huge enjoyment out of soccer and guitar, and I see many of my peers experiencing regret that they did not take those sorts of hobby type pursuits more seriously as a kid.
- jimmyjazz14 4y ago
  My parents encouraged me to have hobbies which I appreciate but they did not force me to play an instrument.

tzs 4y ago

What if they start to enjoy the instrument or the sport to the point that practicing/training/playing becomes play for them?