Dream psychology

No, this won't be a post about analyzing dreams.  First, I rarely dream and if I do, I take them at face value.  They're like a nice movie in my head that if I can remember them at all, I entertain Linda with them.  (Perhaps amuse is a better word!) 

Today's post is about parenting with a plan.  Sure, there are no guarantees.  And sure, you can plan, hope, pray and just plain beg to the powers above, but when all is said and done, your children do as they please.  Hopefully, nothing too terrible, but their choice none-the-less.

When I first became a parent, I tried not to hope and expect too much.  A sports fan maybe?  A tomboy perhaps?  A Beatle's fan PLEEEEZE?!  (Well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad!) 

I also had high musical hopes for Sophie.  I knew that piano lessons would be a must and that has been going well over the past 2 years. 

In 4th grade, the Elementary schools offer the opportunity for the kids to participate in the school orchestra.  I spoke with my ex and my family about the violin and how lovely it would be to have a violin playing child.  Or any string instrument.  I have a certain soft spot for the cello, as it reminds me of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre).  I also have a soft spot for the double bass, as my brother David played this when he was younger before he switched to the trombone!

I know better than to tell a child what instrument to pick (except for piano!), as they're apt to pick something completely the opposite or not pick anything at all.  When piano lessons started and there were grumblings about it being tough/hard to learn to read music, I encouraged her by saying that once she learned this, she would be able to read the music for whatever other instrument(s) she would play in the future.

After two years of piano lessons, she's finally understanding how cool it is to be able to not only play the classical pieces she's learning, but also to be able to play songs she likes (Amazing Grace and some Hannah Montana songs to name a few!). 

For the past few months, we've had some conversations about 'next year you'll get to pick an instrument for orchestra' and she has said that she's thinking of the violin or maybe the cello.  I smiled.  Inside, I was doing the happy dance!  But my face showed nothing.  I smiled and said, "Oh, really?  Are you sure?!"

Then I heard that my niece Maisie had taken up cello this year (they start instruments earlier in NYC, apparently!) and when I told Sophie, it was to perhaps influence her somehow, but Sophie only shrugged and smiled.  She asked if Maisie had to carry it back and forth and I said that she got to keep one at home and then play the one in school.

Well, yesterday, Sophie came home from school and announced that I had to sign a form so that she could play an instrument next year.  I scrambled for the form, read it through and saw that the day had finally come where she had to put down her instrument preference.  4 choices: violin, viola, cello or bass.  She had to put her first and second choices.

I signed the form and then looked at her and said, "ok, so  what are your 2 choices?" and held my breath.

Without hesitation - "Viola and cello."

Did I hear angels singing somewhere?!!!

When I asked why the viola, there were a few reasons.  She claims that the #2 reason was that 2 of her friends are choosing the viola, but I loved the #1 reason.

When the teacher was explaining about the process and about the different instruments, they told the kids the following:

If you love your pets, then don't pick the violin, as that noise will really bother them.  The viola and cello are really a nicer and smoother noise for them.  They'll appreciate you not picking the violin.

Um... can you say balancing the orchestra, kids?!!!!

Sophie said, "I love my cats and don't want to make them sad with bad noises."

Regardless, she'll be playing a nice stringed instrument and no matter the beginning noises and who is sad because of them, the future is going to have some nice background noise.

Comments

[Jess]

aww that's so sweet! Yay for Sophie! I can't wait to hear her play :O)

[val]

Thanks, Jess!

[Tina-cious.com]

LOL at the teacher's explanation. LOL

Yay Sophie!

[KMae]

What a great story!
Wow, did you luck out, or what?
I love the viola, it's so much more mellow than the violin!
Wouldn't it be great if the cousins formed a little string quartet?

[JR]

Awww....

Good thinking not to voice your two cents on which instrument to pick.

[Kathleen]

What a great strategy that teacher has. Your story reminded me of 5th grade band--all those flutes and trumpets, oh my!