When my daughter was in grade five, she took up a challenge to run 1 mile a day for a total of 100 miles. She did not run every day, but she did run for many days and had accumulated many miles. Eventually she wanted to quit. I did not mind if she ever ran 100 miles or not, but I encouraged her to continue so she would experience how it felt to reach a goal that she had set for herself. So she continued, and got her certificate as a 100 miler.
Later in life, she started university after several years of pursuing other interests. After the first year she considered quitting because, she reasoned, “I’ll be 27 years old by the time I’m done”. I pointed out that in 3 years she would be 27 anyway and it would be without a job skill. She stayed, graduated, worked in her profession for awhile; gave it up to have children, and thirteen years later upgraded her skills; took a challenging exam to re-certify; and last fall started working in her field again.
Whether it’s sports, music, dance, or sewing, knowledge of a few basics can give a child a certain amount of creative pleasure. But expertise and confidence comes with coaching, practise, often lots of encouragement from a parent or grandparent; and more coaching.
It’s a real joy to see children pursue their dreams, and if their dreams include a creative hobby in sewing and the textile arts, it’s great to see parents like the ones I have quoted on my home page, recognizing and encouraging them in this.
Later in life, she started university after several years of pursuing other interests. After the first year she considered quitting because, she reasoned, “I’ll be 27 years old by the time I’m done”. I pointed out that in 3 years she would be 27 anyway and it would be without a job skill. She stayed, graduated, worked in her profession for awhile; gave it up to have children, and thirteen years later upgraded her skills; took a challenging exam to re-certify; and last fall started working in her field again.
Whether it’s sports, music, dance, or sewing, knowledge of a few basics can give a child a certain amount of creative pleasure. But expertise and confidence comes with coaching, practise, often lots of encouragement from a parent or grandparent; and more coaching.
It’s a real joy to see children pursue their dreams, and if their dreams include a creative hobby in sewing and the textile arts, it’s great to see parents like the ones I have quoted on my home page, recognizing and encouraging them in this.
