Hidden Talents

My second in line teen son came to the livingroom and announced that he was going to try out for the glee club. Before I could laugh, which was my true intention (since I try not to lie), his older brother said, "That's not your thing, that's more *the little brother's* thing." (*I don't put my kids names in the blog) To which his brother responded, "Yeah, you're right", and mimicked the actors on TV. He made a joke of it, but WHAT IF he really meant it and we messed that moment up? The boys seem to have found their place, their talent, all except for the oldest. He is pretty quiet and shy, so it's hard for him to join a club or other activity unless he is forced. But he still asks me what he should join and what is he good at. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If I was going to judge, just sorta pick one for each kid it would be like this: My oldest should be in an art or construction class. He is great at creating, although he skips details due to boredom. I also think because of his speed and strength that he would be good at swimming and track. My second son is pretty intellectual, willful and determined. That's why he is in Raiders (military club in school) and FBLA (young business course). He loves to mentally and physically challenge himself. My third is a daredevil, loves attention, and is NOT shy at all. He is in choir in school, joins groups in the community for such activities, as well as posting his own dance video on You Tube. That's why the older brothers stated he would be the one to try out for the Glee Club when he is older (which he probably will). I don't want to be a parent that sees what I want to see in my kid and makes a judgement call on who they REALLY are. If my Raider wants to be in Glee club, why not?! If my shy one wants to do a play for the community, I should jump for joy, not give him more excuses and fears. If my third one wants to be in Raiders, small as he is, then I should say GO FOR IT! and not panic about the injuries he will come home with. Who says they can't do what they want? Who says I have a right to tell them 'that's not your thing'? Who says we, as parents, have to form everythingabout them? We give them morals and values, we give them a good foundation, but eventually they are going to need to figure out what makes them tick. That child that hated reading may grow up to be a wonderful and talented author. The kid who couldn't carry a tune as a teen may be the next pop singer. (Hello? Cindy Lauper?) Shame on us for deciding WHO THEY ARE before they even figured it out. Be their cheering squad!!! Don't bury a special gift by accident. Back off, give them room to breath and grow, and regardless of your misgivings...let them show their hidden talents.