Quote:
Originally Posted by miles71  Yes, I know my spelling isn't the best, and I quickly typed the last post without even really proof reading. But, and I am trying to be polite, this isnt an english forum. I dont talk to my buddies at night over a beer the same way I talk to my students. |
Quite true.
You are experiencing the results of bad (or no) parenting, IMO. Yes, teenagers are just plain lazy and ungrateful these days because their parents are enablers. The kids in Manny's orchestra are the exception not the rule.
I'm not a director, but have spent a lot of time observing teenagers at my kids musical, drama and sports events at school. Its revealing. For ex., my kids get ribbed because we don't give them an allowance. Hey, I didn't get one, I was expected to do certain chores around the house as a kid and it wasn't to earn an allowance and it wasn't a suggestion!
As a parent, you don't have to be a genius to make your kids understand the value of work, or in this case practice. Let me give you an example - every summer we make a deal with our kids; if you practice at least a half hour at least 5 days a week at the end of the summer we'll give you $50 to spend on anything you want.
Does it work? Absoutely, my 3 daughters are 1st chair players, and are in a dixieland band which received a perfect score at contests this Spring.
Why did it work? Because we don't just hand them money every week for breathing. Also, because they know in our house they have chores (mostly cleaning) that are to be done every week.
Based on what they say about their friends, we are among a very small percentage of parents that make their kids do chores, don't give allowances and expect all A's on their report cards. Its no surprise what other kids are like.
Greg