8.30.2011

Today's busy kid

As many of you know by now, I'm a pianist.  I teach, I play, I accompany, I collaborate.  Pretty much any chance I get to play the piano, I do it.  And I'm beyond blessed to be able to do all of this for my job.  I guess that's my little disclaimer here.

No, that's not me.  But it is a very obvious example of how we shouldn't push perfection on our little kids (look at that hand position!).  But who cares!!  Hopefully she's having fun.

I recently came across these two articles--first, "Are we overbooking our kids?" from the Pioneer Woman's homeschooling blog; second, and the original article from the NYTimes that is referenced in the Pioneer Woman piece, "Family Happiness and the Overbooked Child".  Now you may be wondering why I, a twenty-something childless non-homeschooled woman, would be interested in these articles.

It's because I am the extra-curricular activity that is being warned against.

So of course I had to garner a response.

First, let me give a brief explanation of what the article is saying:  by enrolling our children in too many extracurricular activities, we are in some ways troubling them as opposed to helping them discover an untouched passion or talent or helping them get ahead in life.  We are overbooking our children and therefore, the parents of the overbooked children, causing unneeded stress for both child and parent.  In the end, too many extracurricular activities may actually be a detriment as opposed to a luxury.

So maybe you are expecting me to defend all the many extracurricular activities, especially music, and explain how I think music can change the world and the lives of every child in the world and how I think every child should be exposed to music and that it can benefit their lives in a real way.

Well, you're right.  Kind of.

I do believe that music is a very powerful thing and can bring meaning to so many lives around the world.  However, I do not believe that every child will feel the same way as I do.  And I do not believe that by forcing your child to play music, you are doing them a service.

As a piano teacher, I have experienced many different types of students--the 4 year old who's parents just want to give it a shot and see what it's all about; the 7 year old who may act as though he is not interested in the piano, but who is engulfed in it while he is playing; the 13 year old who has a million things on his plate but still sees the value in playing the piano; the 22 year old who always wanted to learn how to play the piano and is just now getting around to it; the 35 year old who is wanting to start a new hobby.  My students run the gamut.  And I'll say this too--not all of my students seem to adore the piano.  And I'm okay with that.

What I try to encourage in my students is not to perfect the art of piano performance.  While I definitely see the benefit of classical training and the glorious mysteries of great academic composers, I also understand that not every kid, or every parent, is going to be into that.  And the truth of the matter is that music is so much more than Beethoven and Bach.  It encompasses so many styles and so many experiences that if my students experience just one or two of all of them, it is worth it.

That being said, I agree with the articles about our overbooked children for the most part.  While I do think that too many extracurricular activities can be stressful and in some way detrimental to our children, I also think that by giving them maybe one or two tops can encourage their open-mindedness and adventurousness, while also helping to boost self-esteem and give them hope for things fun and personal.

When I was growing up, I played the piano and that was pretty much it.  I remember floating through gymnastics for a few years, then some random years of half-assed volleyball and basketball.  But looking back, my life was not changed by those extra activities that I experienced.  However, it was changed by the piano and had I not experienced that alone, my life would have turned out very different.

So a message from your neighborhood piano teacher:  if your kid asks for it, encourage them to experience it.  If your kid doesn't ask for it but you think it will be beneficial to try it out, go for it.  If your kid says she hates it, try to open up new ways of learning it and see if that helps.  If your kid still says he hates it, move on.  Not everyone is a musician and not everyone is a football star.  But everyone does have the ability to do things that they probably don't know about until they have someone that comes along to encourage it a little bit.  And sometimes that's all it takes.  And other times it causes nothing but stress.

When the stress comes along, move on.  Life is too short to be filling up your hours with extracurricular activities you don't enjoy.

Psychology Today

All that being said, I think I'll go tinker around with Chopin...

8.17.2011

Wednesday with Willie

I just couldn't wait any longer to share this new gem from Amos Lee featuring the incomparable Willie Nelson.  There's just something about these two voices--I think they work perfectly together, don't you?  If you haven't gotten Mission Bell yet, go now and conquer.

8.15.2011

If I lived in New York...

I would move into a brownstone like Joanna's:



Then, I would call cookie bar and have them deliver to said brownstone.


Then, the Mr. & I would go see a movie (like Aron, Ashley & Hudson) at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.



And then I'd whistle "Moonriver" all the way home.

Wash, rinse, and repeat.

XOXO
--MEL

8.12.2011

Boy and Girl

Well, I've gone and done it again.  I've abandoned you for over a week!  Please accept my apologies, dear internet cosmos.

Often when I'm internet shopping (and by often I mean every single day), I notice that I am drawn to a huge mix of styles--bohemian meets classic, prints vs. solids, brights vs. muted tones, chocolate vs. vanilla.  Usually there isn't one common thread I can pick out between things I find amazing.  One of my favorite mixes is a concoction of all things eternally feminine and handsomely masculine.  I love the juxtaposition of a flowy flowery whisp of a garment with a rugged leather belt or satchel.  Or even better, the smell of musky patchouli next to a big bunch of lavender.

Here's a little shopping trip to two of my favorite online shops.  BHLDN is the new bridal project from Anthropologie and it has loads of fantastical girly wonders.  Hickoree's Hard Goods is a shop stock full of manly goodies.

Here are some things I'd love to put together.  I'd wear this super frilly Pleated Fantasy Gown and dab on a bit of super spicy Cardamom Scent for a little mystery.


 
I'd wear this super romantic Indigo Mist Dress to a fancy fete and bring this chunky Waffle Cardigan for the after-party by the campfire.



I'd pair these fun and elegant Polka-Dot D'Orsays with some rolled-up baggy boyfriend jeans and this utilitarian canvas and leather belt.  Plus, that dash of orange stitching throws this belt completely into perfection.



Finally, I'd pair this festive Knotted Necklace with a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and carry this rugged satchel in place of a purse.



Hope your weekend is filled with a wonderful mix of fun!

XOXO
--MEL


8.01.2011

Poppytalk

Happy Monday everyone!

(Do you hear that perky spirit?  That means I'm back with a vengeance to wreak havoc on all things down and depressing.  The sadness better run for the hills.)

Here's a little online shopping from the awesome "online street market" Poppytalk to start your week off right.  And by right, I mean with a lighter bank account.

Enjoy!
-MEL

fifi du vie

gallant and jones

Becky Murphy

snootsie

with wallpaper

renee anne