When Kids Find Their Passion
Have you ever noticed the great lengths your kids will go to when it is something they want to do? Suddenly forgetfulness gives way to organization, “I can’ts” become “I cans,” and all they can talk about is this thing they want to do.
My youngest daughter wants to be a swimmer in the worst way. She has literally be hounding me every single day for the past two months. I finally got through to the swim director yesterday and set up an evaluation for today. All she talked about on the way home yesterday was swimming. This morning when she got up, she made me write a note and leave it on my desk reminding me to pack her swim suit.
When I picked her up from school today she was so excited - and this was just an evaluation to place her in the right class. When her older sister chimed in and wanted to know why she couldn’t swim too, Miss N told her it was because swimming was going to be her thing and big sister has gymnastics.
Miss N did great at her evaluation and we got her all signed up for lessons. The bad news is, they don’t start for 3 more whole weeks. She is already asking me how many days until lessons start.
One of our jobs as parents is to help our kids find their passions and funnel their energies in that direction. Kids who have hobbies, play sports they love, and are involved in something they love are so much less likely to get in trouble as teens. They have higher self esteems, too.
What are your kids’ passions? Leave me a comment below no later than Friday, October 19 and you will automatically be entered into the drawing for a chance to win the gift behind this blog. Prize and Winner will be announced on Saturday, October 20. Check back to see if you’re the lucky winner and what you’ve won!
This post is brought to you by Blogtoberfest. Look for other sponsored posts at Dating Dames, My Crime Space, Baby Lune, Psycho for Love and SuperNannyRules to enter and win.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Sports
19 opinions for When Kids Find Their Passion
Sara
Oct 16, 2007 at 4:02 pm
At this point, the only passions my son has involve just getting EXACTLY what he wants when he wants it…But I’ll give him somewhat of a break, since he’s only 1! haha However, I totally agree with you about keeping your children’s passions alive…. Extra cirricular activities definitely kept me out of trouble! GREAT post!
Wendy
Oct 16, 2007 at 6:41 pm
This year, the big thing is basketball. Both my 10 year old and my 13 year old want to play. They’ve never been particularly interested in any sports before, so I’m really not minding their excitement. I’m just hoping it doesn’t burn out halfway into the season!
lace
Oct 16, 2007 at 7:45 pm
My passion as a kid was gymnastics. I took every class available to me. I would have liked to have gone further in the sport but the next level would take me to another city and a much higher price.
My nieces passions right now are being outside and school. Everything about those 2 things are wonderful to her.
Caryn
Oct 16, 2007 at 10:47 pm
My little boy is barely 4 months old so he doesn’t have any passions yet (except eating and rolling over and cooing! : ) As a child, my passion was reading. I would take a book everywhere I went!
Homemom3
Oct 17, 2007 at 2:56 am
My son has a deep passion for becoming a paleontologist and let me tell ya that isn’t easy to help him with. Right now I get him all types of books on dinosaurs and ancient Egypt as he passes back and forth between the two. My daughter, age 7, has a passion for Hannah Montana which is easy to help her with, but she also has a passion to become a cheerleader. This year would’ve been the first year she could be one, but we are moving so she’ll wait again. I think she’ll be getting another set of pom poms this year for christmas.
Cathy
Oct 17, 2007 at 5:15 am
My oldest daughter’s current passion is high school flag corp. It’s thrilling to see her so happy, but it’s a passion that is only going to be useful to get her through college. I hope she finds more interests once she has spent a year in college.
jessica
Oct 17, 2007 at 5:28 am
My eight-month old has a passion for cheerios!
Kelly
Oct 17, 2007 at 7:37 am
My daughter is pretty heavily into gymnatics too, but I wouldn’t say it’s her passion. That would be animals. She loves them to the point of obsession, and if she doesn’t grow up to a career that involves them, I’ll be shocked.
Perpugilliam
Oct 17, 2007 at 10:04 am
My daughter is passionate about swimming– except when it comes to going to practice! A bad session can throw her mood off for days. She’s been diagnosed recently with Osgood-Schlatter, so sometimes it literally HURTS to swim– which makes her not want to. Yet, when I suggest she might want to formally take a break from the team, she gets really upset at the idea. *sigh*
Debbie
Oct 17, 2007 at 10:59 am
My daughter’s passion is horses. She started high school this year and is taking medical terminology and is planning on being an equine vet and has already decided which college she is going to attend as well.
Oh Baby Gifts
Oct 17, 2007 at 12:25 pm
It is actually very good to have many hobbies. It really does help built up character.
Nicole
Oct 17, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I don’t have kids of my own, but I do babysit. Passions of the older kids currently include soccer, guitar, karate, horses, and video games. I try to be supportive of everything except the video games, a passion which I am so far from understanding that I have no idea how to support.
My passion as a kid was reading.
Liberty
Oct 17, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Although he’s only 6, my son has a huge passion (and might I say, talent) for art. He’ll spend hours “chalking” on the driveway, sketching on his Doodle Pro and drawing on the front and back of every paper within his reach. He’s also a very conceptual thinker for his age and loves all things construction. Perhaps a career in architecture is in his future?
dawnmf
Oct 17, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Hello- I have two kids the older one (a boy 12) recently in middle school has developed a passion for volleyball and also art class and art club. It has changed him self confidence wise & he races to get to the bus for school each morning. My daughter 8 has a passion for playing goalie in soccer and also for acting classes. her problem being a goalie is being a 3rd grader on a 3rd 4th team. But she is determined. My passion was always reading to the point that I’d spend all my money on books that I’d finish within the day. grin.
Lindley
Oct 17, 2007 at 7:04 pm
My son is 3 and his great passions are books, construction equipment and dinosaurs- especially books about the last 2!!
Angela
Oct 18, 2007 at 7:15 am
My DD’s (11 yo) passion has been Irish Dance since age 4. She’s always up to try new things, swimming, gymnastics, ice skating, and especially with CYO volleyball and basketball. She really enjoys both of those, but her passion is still Irish Dance. It waxes and wanes, but intensifies, whenever something new comes, new solo dress, shoes, and at the moment…….the long awaited toe stands. Whooo-hooo! As long as she’s happy, and it really seems to have made an impact on her self esteem. She’s incredibly confident for a 5th grader.
Bhavani
Oct 18, 2007 at 12:39 pm
my son is ten years old and wants to be a paleontologist but at this age i really dont know if he realises the efforts it takes to be one!! he draws very well , writes stories very well.. sometimes when he is lost into these for many days , i feel he has passion for these but suddenly for days together he wouldnt touch it also!!
Ginny Brewster
Oct 19, 2007 at 7:30 am
Both of my daughters are very active in Dance classes. My 10 year old takes 7 classes plus competes & this has been her 7th year. My 6 year old is on her 4th year & is currently taking 5 classes. They just love it & can’t get enough. I think having at least 1 activity is great for kids, even if it changes each year.
Liza's Eyeview
Oct 19, 2007 at 5:06 pm
G, my 10 yr old son loves Taekwondo and building with Legos.
N, my 9 yr old daughter loves dancing: hula, ballet, jazz & tap.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: