My year of Less is More: decluttering the SCHEDULE
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| One of my gorgeous kids performing at the Opera House |
Over the past few weeks I've been working towards make the very difficult decision to stop our kids learning the piano. I know that for some of my readers will be like "Yeah, whatever", but others will be shocked.
I'm in a bit of shock and grief myself. I really enjoy playing the piano and I so wanted my kids to have that same enjoyment and opportunity to learn. It's pretty deeply embedded in my set of values that feel important to me which is why it's a big deal to let go of it. Plus it's been a lot of hard work to keep them motivated, to get them to lessons etc. (8 years of it for some the kids!).
But … here's what made me rethink it.
1. With five learning the piano it meant two afternoons a week were taken up with lessons.
2. Fitting in the practice was stressful
3. They already do a second instrument through an amazing band programme at our school and they're all in multiple bands for their second instrument (now their first instrument I guess).
4. None of them wanted to give up their second instrument for piano.
5. I have given them a good gift in getting them started on it. They can pursue it further if they want to when they're older
6. It gives us two (TWO, I tell you!!) clear afternoons a week. Ok, yes, I have already mentioned this, but it is exciting.
7. It was a lot of money and I'm reducing the amount that I'm working this year (yes, less is more on that front too) so it will help financially.
Cheer me on folks, because this feels a bit scary. It is hard to change the messages in your brain that tell you constantly that you can't take good learning opportunities away from your kids.
But it's kind of liberating to start rethink those messages.
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Love Rach