[email protected]

Sorry to be changing subject lines all the time, but I'm reading the digest
version and it's better than "digest #7,450" or whatever they're called <g>.


In a message dated 01/14/01 8:18:22 AM, [email protected] writes:

<< << But how can you tell when a child wants
to do something in more depth, such as take a class or get more training
in it. Will they always tell you? >> >>

You can see in their eyes when something is really exciting, or see the
excited agitation in their posture and voice if they're at the museum or in
the library or online and they see something that really lights them up. Or
the'll ask questions, like about the space station or whatever. If you see
a class offered, you could mention it. Maybe you could offer to take the
class with your child. Or rent a video about that subject next time you're
at the video store. If you make the suspected interest accessible, you can
watch and see whether they're still interested.

I was helping raise a child long ago, my first husband's 10-13 year old
brother. He had a huge fascination with all flight--planes, helicopters,
spacecraft. We used to get him books, and take him places. Then after a
while he was done, and went on to other things.

I used to be a huge Beatles fan, and I still know some trivia others find
useful, and I have my albums and listen to them sometimes (I was on a binge a
couple of weeks ago--Something New, Beatles 65, Yesterday and Today...). But
now if a book comes out or a TV special or a new Beatles recording, I don't
really care. I've moved on to other things. It's important to let our kids
do that too.

Neither "shower them with it and send them to special summer camps" nor "just
ignore them and if they want it they'll beg" is the right answer. The right
answers are always toward the balance point, in my experience. Be prepared
to help without being oppressive with help.

Sandra