https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 03:40:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1266066 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:29:39 +0000 Fronkinzankinsbride 1266066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm thankful they made me keep learning things that I hated at the time...golf, tennis, skiing. I wish they would have pushed me harder to stick with volleyball (quit after freshman year) and basketball (flat out refused to play.) </p> <p>And maybe if I had been skiing instead of snowboarding I wouldn't have broken my wrist. I can't be trusted to make my own decisions. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1266045 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:16:04 +0000 artsyfartsy 1266045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kind of wish my parents WOULD have made me stick with something! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1266008 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 16:53:21 +0000 mrs. 64 1266008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and no. I am glad I was forced to take piano for 10 years, but in all honesty, even if we had a piano I doubt I would play very often. On the other hand, my parents forced me to play soccer until high school. I was a terrible athlete and it was an awful experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265880 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:51:35 +0000 ModernDayJibarita 1265880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents never forced me to keep with my extracurriculars. They encouraged me to try different things until I found something I loved. All before the age of 8 I did: Ballet, Girls Scouts, Tennis and Guitar. I only did tennis and Guitar for 1 year but continued with GS and Dance until graduating HS. I must have tried 10-12 different activities before graduating HS. Some of then I did for a couple of years other only for a semester. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265852 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:41:44 +0000 Greentea 1265852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: totally! We were forced to do soo many things I hated for my dad's ego. Marching band in late fall at night in Wisconsin? Going to only the college on his list... choosing only an occupation he approves of (there are only three...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265821 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:33:10 +0000 LuLu Mom 1265821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never allowed to quit during a season, but I wish my parents would have made me stick in gymnastics, I quit and wish I would have stayed in it throughout high school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265796 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:27:02 +0000 sarac 1265796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. My mother wanted to achieve successes that she hadn't been able to through me. All it did was make me hate the activities that she'd guilted and shamed me into continuing. It left me really hating physical activity, in particular, which was directly linked to me gaining 60 pounds after high school. It has been a long road for me to try to come back from the anger that I felt about being forced into activities that were above my physical ability. </p> <p>I've had to start from scratch as an adult in terms of finding joy in exercise, and these days I'm pretty in to it. But I will never, never make the mistake of forcing my child into an activity. I was really miserable as a child, and this was one of the big reasons. I think it's fine to encourage your child, to support them, and to help them to find activities that really make them feel challenged and happy. But the moment you're doing it for yourself, and not for them - you're in trouble. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265752 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:10:02 +0000 fancyfunction 1265752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes - I started playing the violin in third grade but wanted to switch to the flute in fourth grade. My mom told me to stick with violin since I had already made the commitment. I still play in an orchestra to this day. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265705 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:42:28 +0000 cmomma17 1265705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually wish my parents had forced me a little harder to stick with things!</p> <p>I danced my whole childhood and was once selected for an advanced class with girls several years older than me. I was a very shy child and freaked out over it. I wish my parents had talked to me and made me stick it out! It was a great opportunity!</p> <p>I think my rule will be that my kids have to finish out the "season" If they truly hate it, they don't have to sign up again. They need to understand that activities cost money (usually nonrefundable) and that it impacts others when you quit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265696 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:39:17 +0000 IRunForFun 1265696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was in grade school, my parents let me quit dance, piano, gymnastics, and soccer. I sort of wish they had made me keep going with dance or gymnastics and piano. I'm glad they didn't make me keep going with soccer because I'm SO uncoordinated and it would have been torturous. </p> <p>In middle school I started running cross-country and track and I wanted to quit the first year. I screamed, cried, fought them, etc. But they didn't let me quit and I am soooo grateful. I ended up making some of my best friends through running and it's been a huge part of my life ever since. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265681 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:34:31 +0000 mrsmate 1265681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom made me take piano for 8yrs, and it was one of the reasons for our horrible relationship. I had other interests, but for some reason it was important to her that I play piano.</p> <p>For this reason I won't force my kids to do anything, except to stick with short-term commitments (e.g., if you're in soccer, you're in for the season). I just think it's so disrespectful of kids as individuals to force them into activities they have no interest in.</p> <p>I think schools where you learn about your family's culture or religion are a little different. But again, I'm not going to tell my kid, we're Korean and you're going to Korean school, that's that. If a school can't make the material interesting to the kids, it's a bad school and a waste of time. We would find other ways to round out this part of DC's education. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265680 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:34:28 +0000 deerylou 1265680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents never forced me to start or continue anything, per say. They exposed me to a lot, and were sure to support and cultivate my interests, should something stick, but it was never a "do or die" kind of thing. My folks were more adamant I do *something*. It was understood that I would explore hobbies and interests, and devote time and dedication to things beyond the bare minimum (i.e. school, homework). When I started independent studies in mid-high school, my parents insisted I continue with at least one extracurricular and get a job. I remained in orchestra and jazz band, joined a local writing workshop, and got a job at a boutique. It was really good for me!</p> <p>I plan to be the same with DD, I think. However, if she doesn't independently pick up an instrument, I would like to steer her in the direction of one, but would never force it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265677 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:31:25 +0000 pui 1265677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kinda wish my parents had forced me to stick to piano lessons. They just let me quit it. Now as a singer it would be great to know how to play an instrument too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265673 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:30:10 +0000 swurlygurl 1265673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They forced me to continue water polo/swim and piano, and I am VERY grateful. Actually gave me some experiences instead of sitting on my butt, because I would have happily sat inside reading my childhood away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265671 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:29:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 1265671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents took away all other extracurricular things other than piano and my part time jobs! Haha. I am glad that they made me stick with piano as long as they did because it made it ridiculously easy to pick up any instrument I wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265663 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:27:16 +0000 Mae 1265663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They made me stick with piano and I feel neither here nor there about it. I don't think it is really useful in my life at all but I'm not scarred for life for having done it lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265648 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:19:30 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1265648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish my parents forced me to stick things out. I was allowed to qhit everything I started and to this day I don't have any talents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265558 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:51:06 +0000 Bookish 1265558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad my parents made me stick with color guard/winter guard! My freshman year was a nightmare; we had a masochistic coach who reduced me to tears every day. They wouldn't let me quit, I was in it all through HS, and do not regret it at all. I was actually one of THREE who did not quit after that first year! It was brutal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265547 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:48:50 +0000 sunny 1265547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: I travelled to Europe with my youth orchestra too! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265539 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:47:06 +0000 blackbird 1265539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mostly! I was forced to stick with piano for five years. I can't play for shit now and never could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265533 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:44:40 +0000 delight 1265533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I am so glad that my parents forced me to stick with golf and music! I hated golfing when I was little, I felt like such a loser! But now, it's an activity that DH and I can do together. It was so much fun during our "dating" years and we got engaged and married on the golf course.<br /> I also hated practicing violin and piano but I've continued my violin and am in an orchestra now. I also was able to travel to Europe with my youth orchestra in high school. It's nice now that I can play for enjoyment now, not cause mom is making me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265528 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:43:12 +0000 mrsjyw 1265528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Korean school! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265527 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:43:03 +0000 nana87 1265527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents didn't force me to stick with anything, I hated quitting! When I was 12 I had to choose between quitting ballet or violin because it was too much with extra training for my bat mitzvah coming up, and I was agonized about it. My mom ended up making the decision for me and I was furious because I wanted to keep doing all of it even though I hated ballet at that stage: we were learning pointe and thats just owwwww! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265525 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:42:15 +0000 MsLipGloss 1265525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom let me quit piano . . . but when I was in HS, I asked to take lessons again. She was super happy! </p> <p>My parents didn't let me quit band. I guess I am glad I continued. They let me quit dance, which makes me sad, because it was a really good experience for me to operate outside my comfort zone (music has always come easily to me . . . I was first chair in band 98% of the time). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265520 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:40:13 +0000 Espion 1265520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish my parents forced me to stick with dance. I finally begged to quit piano because I hated my teacher. It would have been better if I could have communicated that a different teacher would have been nice. </p> <p>We are developing a "rule" that E will have to stick with an activity for at least one season or certain stretch of time. We joke that piano or guitar is imperative because it will help him get girls in college, lol! My husband was certainly thankful that his parents didn't let him quit easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265514 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:39:29 +0000 NovBaby1112 1265514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! My parents made me stick to playing soccer and would not let me give up, I hated it for a long time! But I am soooo glad they did, I ended up loving it in high school and college, and made so many friends by being involved in sports. I then went on to coach as well and it was such a fun part of my life. I haven't played in a few years and I miss it so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265513 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:39:01 +0000 Greentea 1265513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not glad because they chose the activities and were abusive... but I think I had a weird/ unusual situation! If the parents are reasonable then that's another story! I think a musical instrument is one that has a lot of benefits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265507 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:37:23 +0000 Freckles 1265507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Piano. I think you have to persevere through a few years before you get good and can play some fun pieces. I am really glad they made me stick with it! Oh god, the tears, the fights, the practicing at 10pm because i hadn't practiced all day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-glad-your-parents-forced-you-to-stick-with-any-activities#post-1265490 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:33:15 +0000 sunny 1265490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents forced me to take piano lessons and go to Chinese school. Forced, as in, I had to stick with it even though I wanted to stop and told them so throughout my childhood. I remember a lot of tears during practice time.</p> <p>Sometime in highschool I started feeling grateful that they made me stick with it. I didn't stick with dance and always regretted it!</p> <p>Are you glad your parents forced you to stick with any activities? Will you make your kids stick with anything? </p>