A HOBBY FOR YOUR KID

Helping your kids find a hobby they can really enjoy and be passionate about can be a fulfilling challenge for any parent. The temptation to live through our children can at times be overwhelming, especially if our own childhoods were unhappy or deprived in some way. So the first thing we should remember to do when we are thinking about helping our kids find their passion / hobby is that we need to be enjoying a fulfilling life ourselves. If this is difficult (believe me you would not be alone!) then it is as well to bear in mind this thought: "How could you know what your kids might have become, if you keep trying to live through them?"

That said, there is nothing wrong with being willing to dabble in various hobbies with your child. You might be surprised to find a hobby you and your kid can share and enjoy together.

When your kid finds a hobby he is passionate about, he's much less likely to get involved in anything destructive, because he has an outlet for his energy and creativity that he cares deeply about. It can even foster a lifetime of satisfaction.

When researching hobbies with or for your kids, remember to focus on their particular interests and personality, rather than just looking outside at what all the other kids are doing. The "common" interests, sports and hobbies that kids at school are following are likely to be limited - and you may need to think outside the box a little to find something your own child can really get passionate about.

Avoid focussing merely on competition - maybe your child is lucky enough to have fallen passionately for a hobby that is easily accessible and played competitively at school - if so well and good! But if not, you might want to explore more unusual hobbies with your kid. What about bird watching, crochet or sea scouts (even if you live miles from the sea!)?

The key is to keep trying different things until something appears that really sparks your child's interest and enthusiasm. You will surely know she has found it by the smile in her eyes when she recognises it.

Some things you could try during the search might include:

Doing volunteer work with your child at various local non-profit organisations like nature reserves or dog rescue centers
Seeking out all the local children's clubs and trying them out - most clubs welcome visitors who might be interested in joining, with no commitment of course
Browse local shops that sell items your child is interested in. He might spot something that triggers his interest, whether a craft or a sport, and local shops may well have contact details of local clubs, classes or projects
Keep your eyes open for non-academic after school classes such as cooking, model-building or drama

Finally, a thought to end on is that finding a hobby your kid can be really passionate about might not be about competition or about achievement in the traditional sense of the word. The biggest lifetime value to your child might actually be in the inner joy she can find from her passion through times good and bad. Take heart from the idea that this thing that is so special to your child will have the power to make her feel better about herself even during the tough times in her life.

"It's no good running a pig farm badly for thirty years while saying, 'Really I was meant to be a ballet dancer.' By that time, pigs will be your style." -- Quentin Crisp

By Cassie

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A HOBBY FOR YOUR KID