This was brought up in my instrument lessons, but I wanted to start a more general thread.
I brought up the movie Vitus and the parents wanting him to play piano for their friends.
We have a bunch of kids that are easy to show off. I used to compete in figure skating, totally my choice. When I stopped, I really didn't skate anymore. I took up skiing where I had no idea if I was good, but didn't care because I was having fun, instead of worrying about how I did something. Because when you perform, the perfectionist thing comes out.
I also ran track when I was young, not so seriously, just during the season. I have been a runner since I was about 14 and since 19 run a 5 miles. Though it has become a real jog now. People always ask if I am going to do a marathon. I never compete. This is for me.
I want DD to work hard and strive to do things well but I am very leery of performance or competition unless she chooses. Because I believe that if she has the passion to pursue she will choose on her own. As a former gifted child, I hated the expectations that the natural pride in my accomplishments brought out. I sort of wish that my acceleration and grades were a non event.
Anyway, I thought about this as I was writing my other post. I would like to hear opinions as they raise their gifted children and straddle the fence of pride, expectations and performance.
Ren
