To thwart DD2's musical ambitions

[RosaLuxembourg]

On the way to school this morning overheard DD2 (age 7) tell her bf in very aggrieved tones: 'Well I really want to learn the piano but Mummy won't let me.'
Tis true.
However, her afterschool activities include
Cello lessons
Singing lessons
Three dance classes (ballet, modern, tap)
Swimming
Brownies
Choir.

So am I being unreasonable in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and you are costing me a bloody fortune already?

[kittylouise]

No, not unreasonable. She does enough (and you pay enough).

I sometimes feel that I am my dd's entertainments manager.

I am currently meanest mother in the world for not letting her go on the school ski trip. It costs £800 for crying out loud. To France. I would rather pay £800 for my own skiing holiday (for both of us!)

[MamaMaiasaura]

hello Can she swim yet? Perhaps say when she has learnt to swim she can have piano lessons instead?

[MamaMaiasaura]

or she could give up one of her other activities.

[RosaLuxembourg]

She won't give up anything, Awen. What she has, she holds! The latest development is the list of new afterschool clubs came home this afternoon. She is now in despair because she wants to do Cookery Club and it clashes with choir. Methinks a timeturner is called for!

[bobsmum]

My ds was 5 on Saturday and has taught himself to play the piano using our own. If your daughter's musical already and can read music then it should be pretty straighforward. She'll know her bass clef from cello and treble from choir presumably.

I think she's doing almost too much personally if they're all after school. Does she have a day when nothing happens?

But then I spose I was doing all the same at that age, just within school hours rather than after school (except Brownies obviously)

[RosaLuxembourg]

Cello is mostly in schooltime and two of the dance classes are on Saturday. She has nothing on Tuesdays but I think she needs one free day a week.
A keyboard for home is a good idea - maybe for her birthday. Does anyone have any idea how much they cost?

[MarinaLaPasionaria]

Based on the title of the thread I was about to say, You Meanie, she'll be grumbling about you when she's 40 and wanting to play along with her own kids (am projecting here as you may have gathered ), but seeing the list of her activities and the fact she won't relinquish them, I think you are absolutely right to insist on this.
She sounds musically very talented, though, Rosa - and if she is going to continue with her singing then basic piano skills will be extremely useful to her later...

[RosaLuxembourg]

Yes Marina, I never stop bugging my mother about the fact she wouldn't let me have ballet lessons! Or a pony! I don't need that sort of grief when I'm 70.
I will bear the keyboard in mind for her birthday then - thank you for the link Hanaflower. I hadn't really thought about keyboards - I was imagining having to spring for a proper piano. Keyboard looks doable and then maybe in a year or so when she has done Grade 1 cello she can add piano lessons. We are strapped for cash this year anyway so I don't want more financial commitments.

[WendyWeber]

DS2 has a slightly more complicated version of this Yamaha one which makes a very nice sound (hardly ever plays it though despite begging me to get it )