Dear Wilson,

I'm catching up on the blogs I like to read - and am shamed by not having written every day since my last post. No excuses. Here's my thought for today:

J and cousin M taught themselves how to skimboard this week. In Maui they had endless time, each had a skimboard, and onsite guides if needed (dads and uncles). To watch this unfold is such a lesson in how we've structured childhood. Unfortunately, there aren't more days of just trying something, having fun with it, and doing it again and again to perfect it. The ocean is a master teacher, really, always there, always challenging, to be revered and respected, but always available for one more try whether its a swim or another shot at skimming the tide.

I strive for this with my children. To let them learn at their own pace, in their own way, in due time. To not structure so much that it snaps the joy out of just learning something ...

Well, J has decided on self-taught (book, cd, podcast?) guitar as his spring activity. I'm going to join in. Who knows, maybe I'll like it and even try it again and again!