Would you rather......

[DadOfStubborn]

This is a hypothetical question my siblings have been discussing. Would you rather have an academic child or a musical one? We are discussing because my dd is pretty academic but not too musical and my niece is the opposite and there are a lot of pros and cons.

@MasterBeth Indeed.

Of course it’s wise for parents to keep in mind the pathways to a livelihood (there are many - parents need to pay attention!) but shutting down talents that give internal enrichment solely for the external “one that makes them most money” will leave children short-changed.

Culture - engaging in the arts, sports etc - is what makes us truly human.

I agree, but I have also seen many kids being forced to play an instrument for years, and that is really sad too.

Oh, how dreadful, poor kid 😢 A reminder that children aren’t responsible for following the dreams/careers that their parents never achieved.

The thing is, the parents usually don't expect them to become musicians, just feel like as their sons/daughters they are obliged to put an effort into the extra curricular that THE PARENTS chooses🙄

DD wanted to give up violin after about 5 years. I let her. Why force her?
So I have this violin that I don't know what to do with. Anyone want a violin lol?
I let them try things. DS isn't a whizz at guitar but he's happy doing it and that's fine. If they're happy I'm happy.

@DadOfStubborn

I’m all for kids having the opportunity to experience music (& arts/sports) just for the sake of it - it’s part of our shared human heritage 🙌 But it makes a mockery of the child and the activity if they really don’t enjoy it.

I guess we always need to pay attention our children’s individual strengths and interests.

yes its really sad to see kids waste their childhoods and teenage years on something they really don't enjoy just to not get their parents mad:(

Strictly for my own personal happiness: musical because then they play beautiful music in the house which is a pleasure to listen to.
Realistically its not like you get to choose so it’s an arbitrary choice.

but it should be about them right