It’s not just your kid, it’s every kid.
(I know I said this a LOT when I was a kid…and an adult!)
At some point, your child is going to say it. “I don’t want to practice.” Maybe it’s after a long day. Maybe it’s every day for a week. It happens.
That doesn’t mean they’re not musical. It doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It just means they’re human and practice is work.
The Real Reason Behind the Resistance
Most of the time, “I don’t want to” means:
- “It’s hard and I’m frustrated.”
- “I’m tired.”
- “I forgot what to do next.”
- “I want to do something else”
They’re not avoiding music. They’re avoiding the feeling of not being good at it (yet).
What Can You Do?
Keep it light. Skip the lectures and instead offer a small, doable option:
“Let’s just play for 5 minutes and see how it goes.”
More often than not, once they start, they keep going. That first note is the hardest part.
And if they truly need a break? That’s okay too. Rest is part of the process.
Let Them Be the Expert
Another trick? Flip the script. Ask them to teach you one note, one rhythm, or how to hold the instrument. When they feel like the expert, their confidence grows!
Try This:
Next time you hear “I don’t want to,” respond with:
“Show me one thing you remember from class.”
No pressure. Just curiosity. That tiny invitation might be all they need to get started. 🙂
Take the pressure off.
Next time your child says “I don’t want to,” invite them to show you just one thing. Small wins spark confidence and often lead to more music than you expect.