If Your Child Wants to Quit

Boy wanting to quit piano lessons.

Every child arrives at a moment when he wants to quit something he began. This can include a sport, a hobby, or dance and music lessons. Often feeling frustrated, tired, discouraged or over-looked, it's a natural reaction for children who don't yet understand how to decipher their feelings and emotions to want to quit. Parents generally try to convince their children not to quit. And while the message of "don't quit" is important, I would encourage parents to focus on something deeper-- that is, why your child wants to quit.

In order to discover the factors that are leading your child to want to quit, ask him what he's feeling. If you can help your child understand why he wants to quit, he may be more likely to stick it out and to overcome the underlining issues. Ask questions and listen first. For example, if a young dance student wants to quit her dance lessons, maybe there's a bully in the class, or maybe she's hit a plateau of progress, or maybe the particular stage of training has become extra challenging. Simply put: maybe there's a glitch in the system. A parent can then commit to problem-solving the issue together with the child.

Girl wanting to quit violin lessons.

Make sure you're listening to what your child says. Maybe your child just needs a little rest after going at it for eight months straight. Maybe the class isn't challenging enough, at which point you could speak to the instructor. Maybe the after-school sugary snack is causing an energy crash at the time of dance class. Maybe your child has had too many absences and now it's affecting her confidence. Always talk through the issues until the child is clear about his reasons. Many times, a child may not need a lecture about "quitters," but instead may need a rouse of encouragement, a time to reflect on the larger goal and a realization of his ultimate dream.

Young girl wanting to quit ballet lessons.

It's each parent's duty to use every experience as a teachable moment. While 'qutting' isn't the worst thing imaginable, oftentimes if one doesn't problem-solve the underlying issues, such situations have a knack of repeating themselves. It is likely God gave your child the desire to play a musical instrument, or to sing or dance. (See article: If God Danced.) Do not let issues that can be solved deter your child from developing his God-given talents and gifts. Gently guide your child to see that sometimes what we think are boulders up ahead turn out to merely be pebbles.

Guam Conservatory of Arts is a tax-exempt non profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of Guam with pre-professional training in the arts. Reach us at (671) 929-7799 or at info@GuamConservatory.Org