Monthly Archives: March 2014

Whose Cello Is It, Anyway?

cello-bridge2_l

Photo credit: Turidoth / Foter / CC BY-SA

I don’t actually play the cello.  I’ve never had a lesson.  I have experimented with the bow once or twice, but that’s it.  The piano is actually my just-slightly-less-portable instrument.  (Our county’s school buses do not allow large instruments due to space and safety, so pardon the attempted humor.  We view Mr. Cello as a 6th member of the family.)

Now, my son?  HE plays the cello.  In my dad-opinion he plays pretty well, and he says he enjoys it.  And, to be clear, I 100% enjoy listening to him practice.  He has plenty to learn, but a little of the boy’s cello brings a bit of peace to my day.

Our problem is the classic parent-child instrument practice grappling along the lines of “It’s time to practice!” leading to “In a little while” or “Just 20 minutes, right?” or “We had strings in school today, so I don’t need to” or……

So tonight I brought the boy to an important crossroad:  It’s up to you.  You start middle school next year, and it’s time for you to decide whether you want to play the cello or stop the cello; there’s no more saying ‘Yes I do!’ but showing ‘I want to get good but I’m not all that interested in doing what it takes to get there.’

He doesn’t need to TELL me what he wants to do.  He’ll show me.  And either way, it’s OK.  Mr. Cello is now a hassle-free topic.  And that brings a little more peace.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Activities & Sports, Finding Peace, School, Transitions

We Know Snow Days

Living in Maryland, in a typical year we have 2 or 3 days when our local schools are closed due to snow.  In rare, disappointing years, we have none.  But every few years the snow days just keep coming.  This has been one of those years!  (Note my exceedingly rare use of an exclamation point…..)

Personally, both as an educator and as a dad, I welcome the snow days…at least until we use up the number allowed for in the school calendar and face sacrificing 80 degree June days to make up the time.  Sleeping a little later than usual.  Slowing down a little for a day or two without homework, practices, or other evening activities.  Getting outside to build snowmen or sled.  All of these strike me as a healthy change of pace for my students, for my own children, and even for Mrs. DKB and myself.

This year the timing of one storm was perfect, giving us two days at home during the Winter Olympics, and my 10 year old and I were inspired to create our own skeleton-ish experience.  [Apologies for the rotation of the video.  I’m looking at this as a learning experience.]  

I will miss these days now and then later in the year.  Not necessarily on one of those 80 degree days, but certainly at other times.  Good times.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Appreciation, Dad Takes A Break, Living Well