I've been thinking about this issue myself a lot, which is ludicrous given that I don't have actual children. But my own parents had the ideology and resources to let us pursue arts and other types of enrichment.
Here's what I've concluded at the moment:
* Of my four sisters, only one is still a serious violinist. She is going to a conservatory in the fall. I don't make music as part of my daily life at all, although I enjoy it and it's something I see myself returning to eventually as an adult. But: years of practicing the violin every day, experiencing the framework of weekly lessons with a teacher that expected me to work, and performing in front of a crowd shaped me in ways that are subtle but deep. I am not a particularly disciplined person by nature, but classical music is a very discipline-based practice and I have noticed that when I have something I need to really get done or refine I snap into the habits and strategies of a violinist. I am so glad that I was raised with that backbone in my life... especially since most of the things I've pursued in life have been a matter of refining things that come easily to me, which is NOT really about discipline at all.
* Speaking of something that does NOT come easily to me, however-- ok, obviously I'm biased, but there's dance and gymnastics and then there's TRAPEZE. acrobatics > dance/gymnastics for the random cool factor, and also i feel like there is more strength training and less weird gender stuff/pressure to be thin for girls. although i'm speaking kind of out of pocket. anyway, i think i remember that you are in Athens?? i'll just mention this: http://www.canopystudio.com/classes.htm
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I've been thinking about this issue myself a lot, which is ludicrous given that I don't have actual children. But my own parents had the ideology and resources to let us pursue arts and other types of enrichment.
Here's what I've concluded at the moment:
* Of my four sisters, only one is still a serious violinist. She is going to a conservatory in the fall. I don't make music as part of my daily life at all, although I enjoy it and it's something I see myself returning to eventually as an adult. But: years of practicing the violin every day, experiencing the framework of weekly lessons with a teacher that expected me to work, and performing in front of a crowd shaped me in ways that are subtle but deep. I am not a particularly disciplined person by nature, but classical music is a very discipline-based practice and I have noticed that when I have something I need to really get done or refine I snap into the habits and strategies of a violinist. I am so glad that I was raised with that backbone in my life... especially since most of the things I've pursued in life have been a matter of refining things that come easily to me, which is NOT really about discipline at all.
* Speaking of something that does NOT come easily to me, however-- ok, obviously I'm biased, but there's dance and gymnastics and then there's TRAPEZE. acrobatics > dance/gymnastics for the random cool factor, and also i feel like there is more strength training and less weird gender stuff/pressure to be thin for girls. although i'm speaking kind of out of pocket. anyway, i think i remember that you are in Athens?? i'll just mention this: http://www.canopystudio.com/classes.htm