Using Google Docs for Practice Charts

Even before COVID, I was on a mission to replace PAPER practice charts. I had come up with a few possibilities of a reusable chart along with making them completely virtual. COVID made the decision for me and virtual they went. 

My biggest issue with GOOGLE DOCS is organization. I've yet to figure out how to keep my files organized in a way that makes sense to me. Besides the lack of organization, I\ve been enjoying the document itself and the features available. 

Here are a few changes that I've made to make them even more convenient.

1. You will now receive your practice chart WEEKLY in an EMAIL!
2. To see your entire practice chart (including our new Bingo Challenge) click VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE at the bottom of the email - if you do not click this, you will not see all of the practice chart.
3. Now you can COMMENT in your practice chart. Let me know you've practice to keep track of your days or ask me a question in your chart.
4. You can easily get back to GOOGLE DOCS from the email to COMMENT by clicking the title PRACTICE CHART in red or clicking the GOOGLE DOCS link at the bottom of the email.

If you have any more suggestions on Google Doc features we could use or how to make them more convenient, let me know!

Gift Ideas for Aspiring Musicians!

If you are still looking to get something for the musician in your family, here are some of my favourite violin accessories.

I shop at AMAZON.CA, Long & Mcquade and The SoundPost. 

Most of these items can be found on all websites. Check them all out to find the right price and shipping method for you.

Ingles Violin Stand

String Swing Wall Mount Violin Hanger

My favourite Rosin - Bernardel

Fun Rosin

Magic Rosin

Metronome (also Penguin & Owl)

The purest sounding E string

Coloured Manhasset Music Stand

The Suzuki Lifestyle on Early Parenthood

I recently came across these ideas I wrote out when Maggie was maybe 8-9 months old. I was navigating life as a new mom and trying to figure out who I was and what I needed (still a work in progress...). These concepts are such great reminders and what I've been reminding myself of as I continue to navigate all the changes this year has brought along with creating the best environment and lifestyle for my kids.

1. It's okay to let them struggle.

It is our instinct to want to protect kids from everything and to make things easy for them. But when we fail to give them the opportunity to be independent and to figure things out on their own, we are denying them the chance to grow and to learn and to be better human beings. It's okay to let them struggle and to let them know you will always be there. When we struggle it means we have more to learn. It's also okay for us as parents to struggle and to let our kids see us struggle! 

2. The importance of developing a schedule and routine.
One of the best ways to teach children is to be consistent. Children, even babies, find comfort in knowing what to expect and what is happening next. Routine creates calm and understanding and is a simple way to bring a family together and make the most out of each day.

3. Be flexible - The schedule and routine you create, won't always work.
Even though you've tried to stay consistent and follow the routine, things don't always go according to plan, especially with kids. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK AND JUST START FRESH TOMORROW. Do the best you can do in the moment, do the minimum, adjust the schedule when needed, and take it one day at a time.

4. Put aside the crying, the sleeplessness, the messiness, the chaos, and really just focus on what you have and the lifestyle you are trying to create.
As we ride the waves of having a newborn, a toddler, a teenager, etc., it is so important to live in the moment. As a planner, I like to look at whats happening in the next week, the next month, the next year so I can be prepared. But when we only look at what might happen, we become blinded by what's happening in the present. If we don't know whats happening in the present, we don't know what we need to change. It's so important to be there and witness everyday, to make small changes and to witness small changes, and to see our kids being kids!

5. Take care of yourself and prioritize your life, work, wants and needs.
It wasn't long after my first daughter was born that I realized if I didn't make time to do something just for me in a day, I was not being the best mother I could possibly be. I also realized that when I hustle and really focus, I can get a lot done in 10-20 minute chunks or a 1-2 hour nap - I just needed to learn how to prioritize my time differently. I think it is so important for my kids to see that I am still working and learning at being the best version of myself and that this process never stops. When we model to our kids the importance of taking time for ourselves, we are giving them the opportunity to learn to be more self-aware and to realize that being kind to ourselves is just as important as being kind to others.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

How I FINALLY Got My 3 Year Old to Practice EVERYDAY - PART 3

Part 3 - In Conclusion

Start by looking at any 'problem areas' in the day. What are the things that you should and want to be getting done daily but are things that you always seem to argue about? 

Discuss them together (even with your littlest ones) and refine them. Start with just a few and agree that these things will get done each day. 

What works for your family to EARN if you work together to get the list done? 

Maybe a morning routine doesn't work for you, so try an afternoon or evening routine. 

Maybe after school the expectation is your child washes up from the day, empties backpack and practices violin. Or an evening routine of put on pajamas, brush teeth, practice violin. 

Maybe instead of earning screen time it's playing a video game or using the ipad/computer or going out to play with friends. 

Maybe you collect your days and earn an ice cream on the weekend or a new book to read at the end of the month. 

Maybe you try a combination of all of these until you figure out whats feels right for your family!

The list won't always be easy. But there is no better time to COMMIT then now! Post the list on your phone, on the fridge, at the kitchen table. Talk about it when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Make sure everyone agrees and is on board and works together to get things done. Set the expectation and then encourage each other! 

I can't remember the last day we didn't practice and the heavy load on my shoulders has disappeared. It is definitely not easy, but when it directly benefits our children and the joy we all feel by the end of the day having worked together rather than butt heads, it is a pretty good reason to continue to make small lifestyle changes.

How I FINALLY Got My 3 Year Old to Practice EVERYDAY - PART 2

Part 2 - Creating a Routine

I think it is SO IMPORTANT to not over schedule, over organize and over expect of our children. However, I do think structure is important and teaching children about scheduling, managing time, staying organized and working hard are invaluable skills. 

My daughter has a morning routine of the following:

• get dressed
• brush teeth/hair
• practice violin

That's it. Three items for my 3 year old. Maybe when she turns 4, I'll add a fourth. These three things however have been problem areas in our mornings. So what works for us is if she completes the list (by a certain time), she earns screen time (20-30 minutes or so) and/or a big activity (something that requires A LOT of clean-up). If we don't complete the list, there is no screen time that day. These days happen and we don't make a big deal about it. I find that the next day though she's on top of getting her list done first thing so she can watch a show or do a bigger activity. 

Other days we get the list done but we don't have a chance to get to our show because we get busy with play or go out for the day, and that's okay too. Right now, screen time is just an incentive (one that currently works for us) - it's an opportunity she can earn and use if she chooses. The goal is to create these daily habits that she can carry with her throughout her life. If we can work to do something positive together in the morning, then we earn many positive things from it.

As soon as we all became clear as a family on what happens every morning and when screen time happens (this was also huge as screen time can too easily be given out all day if we aren't careful!), the arguing became less and less.  My daughter is now in charge of what she wants to get done and when (within reason). If it doesn't get done, we don't argue about it because we all know the consequence. 

I also make sure to model myself doing everything on the list - it certainly sends the wrong message if I expect her to get dressed, brush teeth/hair and practice if I wasn't going to do those things (getting dressed with a newborn was something I wasn't always doing, I suppose along with everything else on her list!). Setting that expectation for myself made a world of difference in my mornings as it made me feel more prepared to tackle my day.

Part 3 - Coming Soon

How I FINALLY Got My 3 Year Old to Practice EVERYDAY - PART 1

Part 1 - The Hard Truth & Getting Organized

I have been struggling with daily practice with my daughter ever since she developed an interest at 18 months. Being a Suzuki violin teacher who believes in daily practice and expects my students to practice daily, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders not being able to produce daily practice myself at home with my own daughter. 

There was always some reason why it didn't happen - busy with other activities, sick, too tired, but mostly I realized I just forgot. The day would get away from me. I wasn't making it a priority. I also quickly realized this must be the struggle of other parents. I soon was on a mission to find a solution.

I came across the 'Block Schedule' a while ago and implemented it into my lifestyle immediately. IT WAS A GAME CHANGER! I won't go into detail about it yet, but if you want to learn more check out the video HERE and follow Jordan Page HERE. I have been following her for years getting advice on budgeting and productivity which has made such a positive impact in my life.

Although my daughters practice doesn't necessarily follow the blocks I have set up for myself for each day, once I got MY life organized and MY priorities in check, it was much easier to organize MY DAUGHTERS activities and make the expectations we have as a family clear. 

The fact the I was struggling to practice with my daughter really had nothing to do with my daughter, but everything to do with me.

Part 2 Coming Soon!

How I END Practice with my 3 Year Old

This is how we end every practice each day. 

NO MATTER WHAT. 

We take a bow and hug each other. 

No matter how frustrated (most days- from both of us), silly, happy, calm, angry, etc. our practice is.  When we practice together we are strengthening our relationship. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to appreciate our hard work and the time we are investing in one another.

It reminds us that hard work is positive and that we can accomplish anything, especially when we work together. Such a simple act of kindness can make our days extraordinary.