Summer Break Activities

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My son’s summer break this year is so laid-back. Yes, he just laid, on his back, on the bed for the most part of his summer break. He wanted to go to the beach but the summer heat is just so – well, HOT! And the humidity is not tolerable. Going out under the heat of the sun Ra (bear with me, I’m in the middle of finishing up The Kane Chronicles book) is just not my thing.

He didn’t want to play with the guitar anymore, such a waste of money because we just bought him his third guitar. But he did enroll in basketball camp, learned how to code in javascript and practice his drawing/ sketching skills. So it’s not that an unproductive summer after all.

Drawing Lessons for Kids

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My son has lots of talents. And drawing is one of them. But sadly, he doesn’t want to acknowledge his talents because he’s more interested with Minecraft and everything related to it - searching for Minecraft mods, whatever that is, watching YouTube Minecraft videos.

He drew this wonderful Jack Sparrow portrait two years ago. As his mom, I will not allow him to waste his God-given talents.

I have tricks up my sleeve to make him practice sketching and drawing, as well as all other talents that I think he has, even for just a few minutes each day.

This summer vacation, I bought these how-to books on drawing, sketching and shading. I let him practice a few minutes a day, sometimes as simple as how to sketch and shade household items, and he’s doing a good job.

Here’s his latest:

He’s 11 years old, turning 12 this June, and he has an amazing talent. I’m so proud of him.

new drawing update

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After such a looong time, I was able to ask RJ to draw again. He’s my favorite person, I’m pretty sure everyone knows that, so I don’t want him to “forget” his talents. But even when I ask him nicely to practice drawing something new, aside from “scary” drawings, I think he feels that I’m “forcing” him to do something so he doesn’t do it. And he would rather play his PSP or watch reruns of his favorite cartoon shows on YouTube.

 

But he finally gave in.

 

A dragon, another one of his “scary” drawing, but it looks awesome!

 

 

He himself thought it was an awesome drawing. Don’t you think so too?

 

new guitar

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RJ loves playing the guitar. I enrolled him in guitar class last summer vacation. He’s actually good and I’m not just saying that because I’m his mom.

 

For his ECA (extra curricular activities) class in school, he chose to join the guitar class. There were other activities that he could have joined for free. But because I can see the potential, his talent in guitar playing is obvious and he’s very enthusiastic to learn more, I decided that Php8,000 for a whole years fee will be worth it.

The teacher though told him that he needs a bigger guitar. As long as he’s happy and using the talents that God gave him, I’ll support him in any way I can. So we’ll buy a new guitar tomorrow.

summer activity for kids: guitar lessons

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RJ is again taking guitar lessons this summer break. He finished a few days of piano and guitar lessons last year. But completely forgot everything he learned when we got back in Manila. He doesn’t have a piano in the house and he only learned a few basic chords in guitar so it was understandable that he lost interest and didn’t even tried to practice those few chords.

So this summer break I asked him if he wants to enroll in piano, guitar or both. He chose guitar lessons.

He can now play “I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane”. Although he’s still a bit slow in changing chords, I’m glad that he’s not wasting his summer break by just playing computer and handheld games.

Do not waste your talents

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As much as I want to encourage, and not force, my son to not waste his talents -art and sports doesn't stand a chance with psp, nintendo, iOS, android or PC games. It's a never-ending quest for me, as a mom, to find the right amount of patience and understanding to encourage and not force him to improve his talents.

Although art, music and sports classes doesn't come cheap, letting him join these classes is still the best option. It saves me from nagging him to research on how to paint or draw something new, practice his swim strokes or play basketball in the backyard when he's doing nothing productive when he's in the house (count the above mentioned gadgets as non-productive producing things).

I try not to tell him often that his art works are good. Because he feels that "you're just saying that because you're my mom". That only worked when he's still in preschool. Now that he's older it's very important to properly tell him what he needs to improve on.

Yes, it's hard to let kids realize that they have lots of talents and God gave it for them to improve and use properly. But that's the job that God gave us and we parents should accept it whole heartedly.

Musically and Artistically Talented

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When my son was in his early years of grade school, he used to love composing his own songs. Then PSP happened. His mind is always occupied by games on his gadgets whenever he doesn't have school work.

Music and art, once his favorites, took the back seat. I am so disappointed. But that doesn't stop me from reminding him every single day to draw something or write a new song.

How I would love to see him practice his talents on his own free will again.