When children find their passion
A few months ago my daughter Amelia approached me about wanting to play softball. Since then I’ve been amazed at how fast she’s progressed and by the sheer joy she displays towards the sport. Being Turkish I don’t really know much about softball—it is a sport I did not grow up with. But, when I watch the girls play I can’t help but get excited.
The best part about Amelia playing softball though is that she discovered it on her own and her desire to play it comes 100% from herself. For years Amelia practiced ballet until one day she came home and said she wanted to stop. She then informed me that her time after school was her own time and that she didn’t want to sign up for an activity in ballet’s place. I respected her decision and decided not to push her or suggest alternative activities. That said a part of me felt pressure to do so, especially when I spoke with other parents who had enrolled their children in extra curricular activities.
Looking back, the decision to let Amelia take charge of her own free time—to take a break—was the best decision I could have made. It allowed Amelia to hold the power in her own life’s choices and in the end it gave her time to discover a new love—softball.
As parents it is so easy to feel pressured by what other parents are doing that we sometimes make choices at the expense of our own children’s needs. Take a moment to reflect on how your child spends her time. Is she at choice in her activities?
- Gonan Premfors
Co-founder, Parentology
Image available under CC license by accent on eclectic
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Category: Reflections
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