Mary Katherine,

I don't think anyone here would suggest that kids shouldn't be encouraged to play if they want to! But I think the parents factor is even more important than just encouragement -- I mean, look at the kids who take up singing or playing or some other artistic pursuit and stick with it. Usually they have family members or friends of the family involved in something similar. Art becomes a part of life, not a wierd activity.

When I was 5 I got piano lessons when I wanted violin lessons. (Correction: I wanted to play bluegrass fiddle. I supposed it would have helped if I told my parents what I wanted.) Later I picked up guitar and then bass in college because it was the appropriate cool thing to do. I had to turn 30 before I decided I was going to play what *I* wanted to, because, well, I wanted to. No other reason.

Now, if Mom or Dad had sat down and played or sang with me (piano or fiddle), maybe practicing wouldn't have been the punishment it seemed like at 5.

I'm just glad the kids want to play, although I understand Kim's point. Yeah, it's cute, but they also need to learn that they have to *earn* respect and allocades or they don't mean anything.