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I’m Not a Helicopter Parent, But I’m Insisting My Kids Take Piano Lessons and Spanish Classes
I consider myself a pretty laid-back parent. We don’t have nightly baths, and I’m not the type to quiz my kids on their spelling words. Bedtime? Let’s just say it’s more of a suggestion than a rule. We don’t enroll them in a million extracurriculars to ensure they’re top of their class in every subject. If we were to assign an animal to my parenting style, it would more closely resemble a sloth than a tiger.
However, there are a few things I’m quite firm about. Kindness? Definitely non-negotiable. I expect them to give their best effort and to see things through to the end. Clean underwear? Yup, that’s a must! And after dinner, they better push their chairs in. But the two things they absolutely must do? Take Spanish classes and music lessons—no exceptions.
Now, you might picture a strict mom, relentlessly pushing her kids to reach for the stars when I mention piano and Spanish. But let me clarify: I’m pretty chill about most aspects of parenting. I’m your average mom with an average family, raising average kids. My mantra is best summed up as “good enough.”
So why am I insisting on these lessons, especially when my kids aren’t particularly eager about them? The answer is simple: I want them to develop an appreciation for music and foreign languages, no matter how well they grasp these subjects.
As parents, we often require our kids to engage in activities they’d rather avoid. We make them brush their teeth (at least some of the time), visit the dentist, and tackle geometry problems. We might even encourage them to attend a religious class. We don’t do this because we expect them to be dental hygiene experts or math whizzes, but because we understand these experiences contribute to becoming a healthy, well-rounded individual. I view music and foreign languages in the same light; they’re just as essential as mastering chemistry equations or math skills.
I’m not concerned if my kids become piano prodigies or Spanish-speaking geniuses. What matters to me is imparting the understanding that music and cultural literacy are vital to being a well-rounded person—just as crucial as studying math or reading. By simply engaging with music and learning a foreign language, my children will grasp that these skills hold value and significance.
As my kids grow and their interests evolve, my husband and I may adapt how we convey the importance of music and languages. There might come a time when we allow them to explore these subjects in less conventional ways to keep their passion alive. But for now, while they’re still little, music lessons and language classes remain essential parts of our family routine.
Ultimately, it’s not about whether they master a complex piece on the piano or become fluent in Spanish; it’s about instilling the belief that music and languages matter. I don’t care if they can only manage “Chopsticks” on the piano or if they pick up a guitar instead. I care that they learn to step outside their comfort zone and try something new. Similarly, I’m not worried if they can conjugate verbs flawlessly in Spanish or if they dabble in Mandarin or Arabic. What’s important is that they broaden their horizons, appreciate diversity, and cultivate cultural awareness.
So, while I might let them skip brushing their teeth once in a while, there’s no way they’re skipping out on tickling the ivories or speaking en español.
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Summary
This article discusses the author’s relaxed approach to parenting while emphasizing the importance of music and foreign languages in their children’s lives. Despite a generally laid-back attitude, the author insists on piano lessons and Spanish classes to cultivate appreciation for these subjects, reinforcing the idea that they are essential components of a well-rounded education.