I read recently in, "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee", about an old philosophy that good parenting requires 1/3 love, 1/3 discipline, and 1/3 sitting on your hands. As I like concrete ideas, I immediately applied this to violin practice time. I like efficiencies, and am someone who will often take little things for-granted. I will often not notice the efforts my children make. Now, when I sit with them to practice violin, I spend about 10 minutes of time marveling at what the child has accomplished, and pay a sincere compliment, allowing time to show me new songs they've learned or new ideas they want to try. I spend about 10 minutes of time trying to learn something new, or improve technique. For the 10 minutes of sitting on my hands, I will leave the room, while they finish practicing.
In an effort to remind myself to not take for-granted, I make a conscious effort every morning and every night to hug and kiss each child, and comment on my gratefulness for their existence.
Madeline playing "Happy Farmer" .
Ella playing "Minuet 2"
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