Right Mothering

Homemade pizza is the one meal of the week that we eat in front of the television.  Our daughter loves travel shows and nature documentaries, but one of my favorites to watch with her is “From the Top” on PBS.  Unfortunately, I can only find CDs from the series to purchase: From the Top Volume 1, From the Top, Volume 2, and From the Top, Volume Three.  But the series is excellent – the show highlights young musicians from around the country.  It offers brief biographical sketches, shows them rehearsing, interviews them, and then shows their performances.  It presents them as children, not miniature adults, but their talent inspires.  There is also a radio show, but for my five-year old daughter, I find the television show more effective.

Time for pizza!

An article from the Asia Times from 2 December affirms my commitment to my daughter’s musical education.  We learn both piano and violin, and they do require a tremendous commitment, both financially and time-wise.  Practicing can at times be a struggle (mostly after even the shortest of vacations), but can also be a pleasure.  When both parents work, it is especially difficult just to find the time and energy.  But the discipline that practicing develops is invaluable.  And while school seems to challenge our daughter very little, learning the violin and piano challenge her every single day.  And when she masters a song or movement, she experiences the pleasure of making music.