Our Violin Experiences for the Past 1 Year

After the whinny display of unwillingness to play the violin infront of her aunts during the NY's eve gathering at our home, we've finally sorta talked her round to willingness. Today, at my mom's, it's the 2nd time she's done it(it was practicing when we gathered at Sis' on NY's day) and she even danced(yeah, finally, not without some promptings but, she did it, :D) to everyone's delight.

Thinking back, she used to resent practicing whenever it came to a new song. As analysed by her paediatrician and even her pre-school teachers, she's one perfectionist who doesn't enjoy doing something when she's not very sure for fear of making mistakes - she'll only do it when she knows she could do it well. So, during her earlier violin learning days, the first 1-2 days of her learning a new piece had always been rather rough but she turned receptive to the practices the minute she got the full song right on tune. Thereafter, there had even been times when she took up practices on her own, without me asking her to! Arrrggggh, how I wish such days would return and stay.....

Those 'good days' hadn't been long and the tough ones came back 1.5x, since I've agreed to let her go for the grading exam. Practices had been most tedious and I must admit, there had been times when I almost wanted to give up and just stopped her from learning even as she cried and told me that she wants to continue(even though learning violin isn't exactly her most passionate choice). Those were the times when this question will pop up - Do I give up for the sake of my sanity, enjoyment of peace and time(bearing in mind tt I don't have a helper at home to help with the cooking, washing, etc and I have to attend the lessons with her to learn myself, to guide her)? What happens when children whine about their studies in the future?

Yes, I'm not a person with great patience and I do get angry, very angry even at times, especially when she threw tanthrums and cried during her practices and when we urged her to play infront of my family. However, the teacher's comments and her(not forgetting mine!)hard work/efforts made me feel that I should try my very best to persevere least I'd be ripping her off from a special opportunity(I believe not everyone is given the same kind of chance to learn something). I can't say for now, how long I could upkeep my seemed-to-be running out patience but, alot had told me that most children need much persuasions(not forgetting parental involvement) at this age, afterall, how many children are there who are born with an utmost passion for a particular instrument? Besides, Renee had started quite young, when she's at the age when her level at 'school' has not even taught ABC yet.

Anyway, for now, all I can hope for is that she'd put aside her fears and distracted thoughts of play, to focus on her violin learning and even her studies in time to come...