Need to come up with a stress free schedule, sorry to bore! Options

[Clari Nicki1]

I take it she's too old for you to force practice? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) Some pocket money docking? Why should you pay for an exam if she won't practice etc...

I'd probably go for the MusicalNitWit approach myself - you practice for the exam or you pay for it out of your own money.
But maybe ClariNicki1 is doing the right thing by simply pointing out how much practice she knows has to be done at this level (the great advantage of teaching and having done music exams yourself, of course) and letting her daughter make an informed choice? I imagine that the higher the grade the less effective forced practice is anyway.

Still reckon I'd probably go for the big stick with a nail in it approach myself. Just not saying it's right. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Important thing to remember, Clari Nicki1 is that, at least, it's nearly over.
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And then it's Pimms all round? Not quite the weather for it at the moment. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

She's 12..... I have used bribery in the past...... I need a Pimms please.... I have just sat through speech day. She merrily says "I hope I get the strings prize next year'... well then.... do some work!

Think I may get stressy with her later so please, please crack open the Pimms NOW!

[BerkshireMum]

She's 12..... I have used bribery in the past...... I need a Pimms please.... I have just sat through speech day. She merrily says "I hope I get the strings prize next year'... well then.... do some work!

Think I may get stressy with her later so please, please crack open the Pimms NOW!

I hope you'll remember how tired children get at the end of term and give her some time to relax. She'll practise much better next week when school is over and the gym competition is done. It's tempting to forget that children get just as tired as adults, and sometimes need time off even in the run-up to an exam.

You've already told your daughter how much she needs to do, so if you can, step back a little and take the pressure off her.

[Clari Nicki1]

She's 12..... I have used bribery in the past...... I need a Pimms please.... I have just sat through speech day. She merrily says "I hope I get the strings prize next year'... well then.... do some work!

Think I may get stressy with her later so please, please crack open the Pimms NOW!

I hope you'll remember how tired children get at the end of term and give her some time to relax. She'll practise much better next week when school is over and the gym competition is done. It's tempting to forget that children get just as tired as adults, and sometimes need time off even in the run-up to an exam.

You've already told your daughter how much she needs to do, so if you can, step back a little and take the pressure off her.

Yes Berkshiremum- she fell asleep in the car on the way to pick up her sister. That is really unusual for her! She's had a busy term. Could do without gym comp tomorrow..... Scales and aural can start Sunday afternoon. I think it's hard when I teach others as I DO know something about what she's doing! I know nothing about gym and so don't worry about it at all- and she does the stressing not me! She competes at a high level- I just get her there and let her get on with it! She has to take on the stress..... not me.

I have to say that I ma quite pleased that she has decided to give up gym in a year's time. She trains three times a week for 10 hours in total, plus displays etc and it gets in the way of everything else. She does lots of school sport, which she enjoys and violin and piano (she hasn't done ANY piano prac this half term though). She has given up scouts and ballet, under duress, this term. She doesn't want to give up violin or piano- but doesn't like scales!

[BerkshireMum]

Oh, poor weary child! I do hope she performs to her own satisfaction tomorrow; it sounds as if she puts herself under a lot of pressure. It's hard to give up things you've enjoyed while a junior, but there's so much more work at secondary school that it's inevitable. I expect she has missed her ballet and scouts, but at least she had the chance to sample those activities.

It's lovely to hear that your daughter definitely wants to keep up her music. I hope next week's exam goes really well for her. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)