1. Practicing Music = Enriching Your Life

We all struggle with our dedication and motivation to do the things that we know are good for us, but may not be our favorite activity. It is especially hard when the activity involves you and your child. Practicing together may be fun at times, but I know there are times when it’s not as fun. Children can be a bit unpredictable, and may not want to practice every time you want them to practice, or sometimes it can be difficult just to find time to practice. But don’t give up, because the pay off is HUGE!!! Especially if you try my ideas. Because you’re not just practicing to help your child do well in class so you get your money’s worth, there is way more at stake here. You are practicing because learning and sharing music together is precious. It has positive effects on the brain that will help your child academically, socially, emotionally and physically. Making music can also bring you and your child closer together. It’s just that magical and great!!! Seriously! I have trouble putting it into words, but once you’ve experienced it, you know it’s powerful. Music makes people better people. So don’t just do it for your child, do it for yourself, your family and the world.

If you’ve struggled with getting your child to practice their music, ever, then keep reading. You’ll look at practicing music in a whole new way and it will only take a few easy changes. I don’t want to overwhelm anyone, so I’m posting one idea every few days. So try out this first idea and come back in a few days to read the next one. Here we go!!!

Routine vs. Willpower

Yes, it’s true, there is a certain amount of willpower required to thrive and be successful in life. The other truth is that you only have a limited amount of willpower, and you can run out of it. So let’s say you and your child were in class two days ago, you haven’t practiced yet, you know you need to soon, you just need to find the energy and willpower to make it happen. My guess is that your family has a gazillion other things going on in your lives, not to mention the need for relaxation and downtime, so practicing music would probably require a ridiculous amount of willpower to pull your child away from the TV, video game, book, or playing outside. I’d put your chances at practicing near impossible.

Now think about soccer practice, brushing your teeth, eating dinner, taking a bath, or going to school. Those are activities that may not all be your child’s favorite, some but not all, and they all get done, right? But not with willpower, but with your child’s need for following a routine. Those activities are all scheduled events. You don’t have to find time to do them because they are already in the schedule. You wouldn’t put them off until tomorrow, either, you do them when it’s time because they are a part of your routine, you’re used to it. Find some time in your schedule every day that you know will work. Then you won’t need the willpower, you will already be used to practicing music, it won’t be something you have to negotiate, it’s time you’ve already decided is the time you practice.

Bottom line – You can’t depend on willpower to practice, schedule it, make it a part of your daily routine.