When I was a little girl, I was passionate about singing. It was something that I loved to do. And I was good at it.
My parents supported my love of music in the only way they knew how-- by encouraging me to sing at church. But that was the only capacity in which I was allowed to explore my love of singing. I was only allowed to sing To and For The Lord. Any other type of musical expression was STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. I quit music after my freshman year-- it wasn't any fun because of the restrictions my parents placed on me. I wasn't allowed to participate in field trips in which we would sing at other schools. (they didn't want me to end up alone, with boys, doing The Jesus-Illegal Sex.) I wasn't allowed to audition for musicals ("they're not glorifying to The Lord!") What the hell was the use?
(I also quit guitar lessons at an early age, but that had nothing to do with my parents and everything to do with the disgusting pig of a man who I refer to as "Hairy Larry")
I see that same passion for singing in my daughter. She is always twirling around the house in dramatic fashion, while singing a song. She reminds me so much of my Young Self.
I never want my children to say "I could have been *insert childhood dream here* if only my parents had allowed me to and supported my dream." This is why I drive my boys to guitar/drum lessons every week. This is why I go to all of their band performances, their talent shows.
And this is why I drop whatever I'm doing to sit on the floor and watch my daughter's Never Ending "Singing Shows."
She's good!! I do love how some of the words are all sorta wrong but she still keeps going. I love her. "Ask a question to see if I'm dancing.."
:) Adorable.